Moonlight Baby
Chapter 4
Sakura sat on the large rock in her favorite meadow eating a bento, Tsukiko was in the basket besides her, she had grown more pleasant when around sunlight. It was a long journey home and she was thankful to be back. The meadow was filled with colorful wildflowers and bright green grass. It was surrounded by trees and rocks so it felt as though you were in your own little world. She had decided that the baby would be the safest staying with her; she shuddered at the thoughts of what Naruto would teach the child. It was amazing, she had bought a scroll about the first 6 months of child development, it had been just 3 days since she came upon them and she was already doing things an advanced 3 month old was doing. Tsukiko rolled over in the basket, batting at the toys Sakura had bought for her. Taking care of a baby as expensive, Sakura was doing double chores at her house just to pay for diapers.
Sakura started to sing her favorite song "Can you hear me? The sky is limitless and blue, the sea is endless and large to you, stay smiling or else I'll cry." it always calmed Tsukiko when she was fussy. Her bright silver eyes closed and she started to fall asleep to the soothing melody, Sakura petted her hair, it was already growing at a fast pace.
"Lucky" said under her breath careful not to wake the baby. She crept up and went to pick some wildflowers; there were so many beautiful flowers she didn't know where to start. There was a bit of twine by the small stream, Sakura learned how to make a friendship bracelet a couple years back. She wove and wove; remembering that you could place a bead or something small in it, she reached into her pouch, her fingers rubbed the small, smooth pearl. Soon the bracelet was finished, Sakura had shown the boys the headband, but not the pearl she knew that it must have been a memoir of her mother. She gingerly tied the bracelet onto Tsukiko's wrist, it was a bit big, but she would grow into it soon. Sakura picked up the basket and started the trek home.
Her stomach started to growl, she was in the mood for ramen. She was in luck today; there was a ramen shop up ahead. The delicious scent wafted from the restraunt to her nose, her stomach growled again. It was an average ramen shop, someone was eating the ramen like an angry pig, Sakura soon realized that the angry pig was Naruto. She scrunched up her nose with disgust, was he even tasting it?
"Ew, you're disgusting." She said, Naruto turned around, his face was covered in ramen ingredients.
"Oh, Hey Sakura-chan." He said with his mouth full.
"Ew! Swallow, and then talk!" Sakura took a seat at least 5 feet away from him
"1 ramen please." she asked politely.
"Sorry," he swallowed his ramen "so how's kiko doing?"
"Her name is Tsukiko, and she's growing even faster. She can do things a three month year old can do" Tsukiko giggled from inside her basket.
"Wow" said Naruto as he stared at the baby.
"I'm buying new clothes for her every day, I just wish Sasuke would chip in." she sighed and rested her head in her hands. Ever since they had chosen to keep the baby Sasuke said that he wanted no part in it. When Sakura brought it on missions, he took no care in trying to protect it. It was so sad; she thought that they could be like a new couple trying to raise their first baby. Her ramen arrived.
"Arigato" she said, she ate her ramen sadly. Naruto hated to see her sad.
"Its okay Sakura, he'll start to like her!" Naruto tried to put on his best smile.
"You really think so?" she asked.
"Sure! And I can help with the baby too!" Sakura cringed; she didn't want the baby to be raised by someone like Naruto.
"Um, it's okay I'm fine!" she wanted to dismiss the thought as soon as possible. The ramen owner asked for payment.
"Well, see you soon Sakura-chan!" and with a wave, Naruto left the shop. It suddenly felt very lonely in there, Sakura paid for her ramen and left. She stared up at the sky, it must be about 4:30 now.
I should head home soon" she whispered. Her parents had not found out about the baby yet.
What if they didn't accept her?
What if they made Sakura put it up for adoption?
What if they thought it was hers!
But she had the excuse "its part of my training" up her sleeve. Inner voice: Cha!
She slid open the door to her house and took of her ninja shoes.
"I'm home" she said. The familiar sound of her mother's footsteps coming to greet her came closer.
"Uh, wait mom!" She picked up the baby and ran to her room. It was plain, tan walls with hardwood floors. No decorations besides a hanging plant, she set the baby down in the middle with pillows surrounding the basket.
"Sakura." her mom called from downstairs.
"Coming!" this is the big moment, 1 chance, I have to get it right! She thought. Her mom was waiting for her downstairs.
"Mom, I need to tell you something." Sakura kept her head low.
"Yes, sweetie?" her mom sounded a bit anxious.
"How would you feel is we got a dog?" Inner Sakura: Dog, baby, same thing right?
"Ugh, I hate dogs! The poop everywhere and shed. They're just one big mess! You didn't get a dog did you?" Inner Sakura: Great, if she doesn't want a dog, she certainly won't want a baby.
"No no! Well sort of..."
"What does sort of mean?" her mom sounded a bit angry.
"I got a baby!" Sakura added a little laugh Inner Sakura: ha-ha! I'm in big trouble! Cha!
"A baby what?" her mom motioned for her to get on with it.
"Not an animal, just a baby." Sakura looked down and braced for the screams.
"How did you get a baby!" he mother yelled.
"It was a mission, its mother died and I couldn't abandon it!" Sakura had a bit of pleading in her voice "its part of my training mom, I have to keep it!" Inner Sakura: Please work, please work, please work!
"Alright then, its going to be a tremendous responsibility, not like a cat or dog. This is a human being." Inner Sakura: I win! Cha!
"I know thank you mom!" Sakura ran upstairs as fast as she could and picked up the baby "Yay Tsukiko! You get to stay here!" the baby laughed and giggled. Sakura set the baby down inside its basket.
"Goodnight Tsukiko." she kissed her on the forehead and sang her to sleep under the moonlight.