A/N: Finally chapter four. I want to thank my Beta Reader, Rayestar!
*Disclaimer*: I do not own Naruto. And this is a mature read-kiddies be warned.
Enjoy!
"Godaime-sama, where did you get that?"
"Shizune, I haven't had a drink for 12 hours. That's long enough."
Sakura sat at a large table with Tsunade-shissou, Shizune, Hinata, and Kiba and watched apprehensively as her teacher drank cup after cup of sake. Was she going to say anything to her about Naruto? After that much alcohol intake, would she even remember the wedding ceremony itself?
"Sakura-chan?" The pink haired woman looked up to find an anxious looking Naruto desperately trying to fix his tie. Sakura rolled her eyes and stood, batting the shinobi's hands away and straightening the red tie.
"I'm surprised you didn't wear your clothes backwards, Naruto." Her eyes remained downcast as nimble fingers strayed to fix his collar and jacket. It was unusual for him to not wear something orange or in the jumpsuit range. But Ino would have none of that at her own wedding. All of the groomsmen were to wear scarlet colored ties, and the bridesmaids were to wear the scarlet gowns.
"Thanks, Sakura-chan." She could feel the rumble of his laughter on her fingertips. She smiled lightly and stood back, taking in his appearance. Naruto looked handsome; his hair was slightly tamed (maybe she should say it at least looked clean…), and his black tuxedo was cut to perfection.
"Ne, Sakura-chan? Do…Do you want to dance?" A blush came to the Uzumaki's cheeks, and Sakura could feel a pleasant chill run down her spine as his eyes met with hers.
"Do you even know how, baka?" Despite her words, she walked past him with a confidence that surprised not only her, but the Uzumaki as well. Maybe it was something in those cobalt blue eyes that made the kunoichi want to fulfill any desire that man had. She walked towards the center of the wooden dance platform that had been laid down the day before the reception. A light smile played on her lips even though she could feel her impatience building. Sakura knew she might have to drag him over soon if he didn't get a move on. She felt ridiculous standing alone on the dance floor while other couples swirled around to the smooth music.
"Naruto, I think she wants you to follow her." Kiba laughed, kicking the stupefied shinobi into action. "Go!"
The man stumbled towards Sakura but caught himself. He stood awkwardly in front of her, and Sakura was certain he didn't know what to do next. The kunoichi laughed and inwardly rolled her eyes at his naiveté.
"Rest your hands on my hips," she ordered. Naruto's eyes widened at her command, but he lifted his arms nonetheless and took her by her waist. The kunoichi lifted her arms to wrap her hands around his neck. This was the simplest of dances; there was no way she would try to explain anything more complex to her anxious teammate.
"I'll lead." She took a step to the right, and Naruto followed slowly, stepping on her toes ever so often. Sakura clenched her fists behind his neck, praying that she could keep her temper at bay—at least for one song. Her teammate was trying, and that was what counted, right? Sakura laughed lightly at his concentration; his blue eyes were focused intently upon their feet so as not to miss a step.
"Stop looking at your shoes, baka."
"But I'll step on your feet again!" Naruto was never one to give up on a challenge—no matter how difficult.
"It's fine. Besides, you're already stepping on my feet as it is. It can't get any worse." She saw the disappointed look in his eyes and was quick to mend her words. "Just…focus on my eyes and nothing else, okay? It will come naturally." Or so she hoped.
Cautiously, Naruto lifted his gaze to her and smiled; and despite the pain in her trodden feet, Sakura smiled back. It was like a natural reaction to her whenever he would smile. Well, that is, unless she was in a hellfire mood. Which was often, considering this was Naruto she was talking about. The two moved about the floor, drawing closer to each other whenever the shinobi would falter in step. His hands were warm around the kunoichi's waist, and that chill of excitement ran up and down her spine in reaction to his touch.
"I didn't know they were a couple—" Sakura's ears picked up on some of the dancers' conversation. They were most likely Civilians. What ninja in their right mind would gossip with other trained ears around? Then again, they probably wanted their words to be heard.
"I thought she liked that Uchiha boy…"
Even though she could feel the anger in the pit of her stomach roar, she never showed it. She just focused more intensely upon her dance partner's eyes, ignoring the growing murmurs. She knew that if she could hear the words, so could Naruto—but the shinobi did as he was told. He focused on her eyes and nothing else. Sakura took a deep breath, and her mind cleared of its troublesome thoughts as the two made their way about the preset dance floor. Who cared what people were saying? She was enjoying herself, and that was all that mattered. Sakura's grip relaxed behind Naruto and even tugged on the shinobi's hair playfully, triggering a smile to release on his face.
"Ne, Sakura-chan?"
"Hm?"
"About what you said—"
"I've said a lot of things, Naruto, but what specifically?"
"You know…" He lowered his voice so that even if one of their shinobi friends were listening, it would be a strain. "About the mission…" Sakura's stomach clenched in shock, and her hands tightened their grip once more.
"And…?" Not now. Not when she felt so warm and happy in his arms. Her anger was even subsiding!
"That night." Naruto's face darkened in a deep red. "I, um…actually had a weird dream…"
A dream? Is that what he remembers?
"A weird dream…" the kunoichi mumbled under her breath.
"Actually, not a dream, but it was more like…um…you and I were… Sakura-chan, I can't say it! You're gonna hit me if I do!"
"NO!" And naturally she hit the distraught man on the back of his head. "Just say it, damn it!"
"OW! OW! OW! Okay, Sakura-chan! We had sex!" Naruto flinched. It should've been coming—that iron-like fist should've been connecting, at the very least, to his cheek if not his eye. But Sakura froze in mid-step and broke down crying. She dropped her arms down from their perch on the man's shoulders and drew them close to her chest.
"N-NANI?!" Naruto took the kunoichi by her shoulders, shaking her lightly. "Ne, Sakura-chan? Sakura-chan, what's wrong? I didn't mean to—" Naruto was beside himself—he didn't know what to do! An angry Sakura he could deal with, easy. But this one; a tear filled Sakura had him feeling completely helpless.
Sakura didn't know how to reply. It just seemed as if all of her bottled up emotions shot out of her in multiple gasps and cries. Now that the not-so-oblivious teammate of hers knew about their time together, she had no choice but to tell him—WAIT.
"You knew?" Sakura stopped crying instantly, and the anger that had subsided was back with vengeance.
"I—well, I tried to talk to you that morning after, but you just looked away from me! And the time after that! You ignored me! I-I-I…"
Sakura knew he was telling the truth, but she didn't care. She suffered all that time, thinking this idiot forgot they made love, but in reality—he remembered the whole damn thing! The kunoichi clenched her fist and raised it. Her blood had boiled over…
"Na…ru…to….NO BAKA!!!!!!!!!!!!!" She brought her coiled arm up and connected her fist with his jaw. A pleasant crunch sounded as Naruto's body flew clear across the dance floor and landed on the grass with a thump. Sakura ran over lightning quick and dragged him up by his collar, shaking him. "If you EVER do that to me again, I'll—! ARGH!" She dropped him and stormed off, her fury still flaming.
Sakura slammed her apartment door closed, making the walls of her apartment shake dangerously. Almost immediately a hard pounding sounded on her door.
"WHAT?!" the kunoichi screamed.
"HARUNO! I told you time and time again not to slam your door! You'll be the ruin of this building, I know it!" It was her superintendent, Shiro. He was absolutely intolerable—
"SHUT UP, OLD MAN! I'M IN NO MOOD TO TALK TO YOU TODAY!" Sakura growled ferociously and pounded her feet around her living room. Let the old man try to evict her. He'd be bankrupt if it weren't for her rent. Besides, no one was home around this time anyway—who gave a crap? The kunoichi stomped over to her room and grabbed a pillow from her bed, placing it over her face. She took a deep breath, filling her lungs to maximum capacity, and let loose a satisfying scream that the pillow just couldn't muffle. Oh well, she tried to be "quiet." Damn that idiot Naruto! All of this was stupid! Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! That baka! Baka! BAKA!!!!
"Naruto no BAKA!!!" she screamed, throwing the pillow against her bed with a thump. Another knock sounded on her door once more; this time a softer but much more firm rap.
Sakura rushed over to the door and snapped it open. "WHAT?!"
"Billboard brow, you better tell me why you scared half of the wedding guests with your crazy stunt!"
Sakura's temper flickered. "He knew all along, pig!" She clenched her fists and pounded it into the wall. "He knew we did it. He thought that I was ignoring him because of it." She collapsed onto her knees, and in a breath her fury was extinguished. Her green eyes looked to her best friend, and a pathetic laugh escaped her. Ino was still in her wedding gown.
"What?" Ino looked down and frowned. "Well…I thought that you told him you were…you know…and something happened. So I told Shika that I would be right back."
"Shouldn't you be off on your honeymoon by now?"
"Please. Every night with me is a wedding night." She smirked devilishly and knelt down to eyelevel with Sakura. "Are you okay now?"
"I'm not furious at the moment if that's what you mean." Sakura was mad, yes, but no longer brimming with blind rage.
"Did you tell him how you feel?" Ino stood and dragged the kunoichi into her apartment, closing the door behind them. Sakura shook her head and plopped down onto her couch while Ino remained standing—the furniture piece would probably ruin her expensive gown.
"Sakura, in our line of work it's dangerous not to tell someone how you feel about them." A sad look came about the bride and Sakura could tell the blonde was thinking about her new spouse. "You don't know if you will see them the next day."
"Don't you think I know that, pig?"
"Well you aren't acting like it, billboard! You love him, don't you?"
"I…I…" Sakura was still struggling with herself over her feelings for Naruto. A part of her wanted to love him so much that it nearly strangled her heart. But the other part screamed that it was wrong and this was Naruto. That stupid baka, Naruto…There was no way she could ever love him like that—no way she could imagine waking up to his golden, smiling face every day. Or dream of their children running carelessly around the house while the Uzumaki held her close… or think about his scent lingering on her skin after another passionate night…
"Well, now that he knows about you two sleeping together, you can tell him about that bun in the oven." Ino didn't need to say it…Sakura knew she had to, and there was no other way around it. She was going to need to get him alone and tell him that she was almost two months along. But for the sake of it all, Sakura was so scared. How would he respond to something like that?
"I will make this quick." The Godaime's face was stern, as she usually was when sober…or drunk for that matter. Her eyes switched between the three men standing before her. "Hatake Kakashi has, for the past few months, been secretly investigating a group of rogue ninjas led by a man dubbed The Collector. The man, as his name suggests, collects people who have rare abilities such as the sharingan—and without a doubt is interested in acquiring a jinchuuriki. However, I have no choice but to use the two of you right now. Sasuke can figure out how dangerous this man is using those eyes of his, Shikamaru can formulate the plan of attack, and Naruto will wipe him out quick as possible. You three have proven throughout your years as shinobi that you are indeed qualified." Tsunade's eyes shifted between them. "And since there is no one else that I can trust with this mission—"
"What about the ANBU?" Shikamaru was unusually testy, but rightfully so. It hadn't even been one week since his vows were exchanged and already he was being dragged into a mission.
"All divisions of ANBU are preoccupied with the River country as of now. Since the fall of the Akatsuki, other dark organizations have been rising to take over the territory that those bastards previously occupied, and small wars have been sprouting all about the area. The country's leader asked for the entire ANBU's assistance, to which I strongly refused. I would not leave my village completely defenseless—but the Daimyo of the Fire country overruled me. Therefore, this mission goes to you three."
The shinobi shifted uncomfortably at the thought of what was to happen. This could go in two different ways; it could be a simple retrieve and destroy mission, or it could very well end up costing their lives.
"Shikamaru, you will be staying here in Konoha, while Sasuke and Naruto will leave immediately to get Kakashi back…"
Sakura Haruno stood in the middle of her apartment floor stretching out her muscles. She had had one hell of a hospital shift last night—that, in fact, didn't end until thirty minutes ago. There was a complicated surgery that seemed like only the kunoichi was capable of doing. The entire operation lasted for ten hours, and all Sakura wanted to do was knock out into sleep.
But she had resolved that morning that she would tell Naruto she was pregnant. And even though Sakura had just gotten back from her graveyard shift at work, she knew that putting it off would only deteriorate her hard built wall of confidence. She needed to tell him as soon as possible.
The kunoichi straightened out and placed her hand flat onto her stomach. "Today is the day." And she made her way out the door and onto the street, her feet carrying her towards the park where she and Naruto would practice on Fridays. She could usually find the orange clad shinobi sparring with someone or training alone around this time.
With every step, Sakura repeated her words like a mantra. She could see the park up ahead; there was no backing down now.
Today is the day. Today is the day. Today is the day.
"Billboard brow!"
Today is the day. Today is the day. Today is the day.
"Hey! Billboard brow!"
Today is the—
"SAKURA!!!!" Ino stood in front of the kunoichi, blocking her path.
Sakura looked up and frowned. "Not right now, Ino. I need to talk to Naruto."
Today is the day. Today…is…the day. Her mantra was losing power the longer she stood here talking with Ino.
"Well, it's a little late for that. He's gone."
Today—
"What?" Sakura's thoughts came to a screeching halt, "He's what?"
"Are deaf, billboard? I said he's gone. That idiot and Sasuke left on a mission this morning. He came to your apartment, but apparently you were still at work. So he left this with me to give to you—" Ino held out a small piece of paper and placed it into the kunoichi's hand. "He said to read it but not get mad." Sakura looked down to the scrap of parchment and closed her hand over it. She couldn't believe it—
"Well, aren't you going to read it?" Ino looked impatient—the pink haired woman was surprised her friend hadn't read the note already.
"How long?"
"How long what, billboard brow?"
"How long will he be gone?" The anger within Sakura tore against her. She felt like beating something to a pulp and curling up into a ball to cry. That stupid Naruto! She was going to tell him! SHE WAS GOING TO TELL HIM!
"I don't know. Shikamaru only told me that it was a high-class mission. Apparently he's working as the intelligence." Ino was visibly torn for her friend once she realized what Sakura's intentions were. Sakura forced herself not to cry. She was a strong ninja, and it was absolutely normal for these things to happen. Yet… it seemed that no matter what Sakura did, there was always an opposing force thrashing back against her. Whenever she tried to talk to Naruto about anything related to their confusing relationship, something stood in their way. There were so many signs that they shouldn't be together…
"Sakura, before you drive yourself to the brink of an emotional breakdown, take a deep breath." Ino took hold of Sakura's shoulders and squeezed her gently. "He obviously wanted to tell you something important. So read that damn note!"
Ino was right. As much as she wanted to hate him for leaving, he did try to come and see her. And just because he was on a mission, it didn't mean she wouldn't see him again. Naruto was one of the strongest ninja in Konoha—maybe even the Fire country. "Okay." She unfolded the crinkled paper and read the messy writing scratched onto the parchment—
I will come back, Sakura-chan!
"Idiot…" She smiled and folded the letter back up, tucking it into her pocket. Her thoughts of his return were assured. No matter where Naruto was, he would come back to her, and she could tell him everything. And maybe by then, no matter how soon it might be—she would have her feelings sorted out.
"Haruno-san!"
"Yes, Kyou?" Sakura was bent over a stack of paper work writing as fast a as she possibly could. She specifically told her interns to never interrupt, or otherwise she would force them into diaper duty; for the infants as well as the older patients. Not one of the greatest jobs to do in their facility, but an honorable one nonetheless.
"Godaime-sama wants to see you immediately." The fifteen year old was one of Sakura's rather shy interns. She couldn't blame him for being worried about interrupting her—apparently she had gained the same reputation for her temper as Tsunade-shissou had.
The medic-nin's shoulders dropped in defeat. She wouldn't be able to get the paper done in time after all. "Okay." She tossed her pencil down and stood, straightening out her long white coat—a perfect cover-up for her now visibly growing stomach. She was at three months now.
"Haruno-san, what would you like me to do?" The young man was nervous, that much was obvious. She was a tough sensei, but one of the best and most requested.
"Go and turn the beds over for rooms 301 through 350. That should keep you busy. And if they ask to have their muscles massaged, do so." She saw the boy's face pale, and the kunoichi inwardly rolled her eyes. "Bring…Ichiro with you." Sakura turned back around and made her way out of the hospital towards the Hokage's office. It took her only a few minutes to get there.
"Ah, Sakura. Close the door behind you." Tsunade sat in her chair with a cup in her hand.
"Shissou, what's that?" Even though Sakura knew very well what the Godaime was drinking…
"Water. Now sit down and let your shissou talk." Tsunade took a quick gulp of her drink and clanked it down onto her desk. Sakura took a seat and waited patiently.
"I'm sending you on an extended mission." Tsunade's eyes were completely blood shot. Sakura inferred that she had been drinking for at least the past few hours. Whatever her teacher had to say, it bothered the Hokage.
"How long is extended?"
"Until after you give birth to your child." She was blunt—mostly due to her intoxication. Maybe that was another reason the woman drank so much: to help her deal with giving hard news.
Sakura took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. "Tsunade-shissou, with all due respect—"
"This is not a mission you can refuse, Sakura. I am ordering you as your Hokage to go." A small crinkle formed between the older woman's brows. She wasn't mad. Quite the opposite—she was pained. "This is for your own good. You are already showing, Sakura, and soon you won't be able to cover up with just a large coat."
"Shissou—" The kunoichi stood up, her fists clenched. "I cannot leave."
"You will listen to me." The indent in the Hokage's forehead deepened. "I shouldn't even be doing this—the council will get angry, but screw them. You are my student—hell with it! You are like my own daughter, which is why I won't stand for it when the village will begin to spread rumors about you and your child!" Her normally light face turned red with frustration.
"Shissou…" Sakura's voice grew hoarse and she felt the greatest urge to embrace her teacher. She knew that once her stomach would be too big to cover up, the gossiping village would indeed begin to wonder what kind of person the pink haired woman was to be pregnant out of wedlock—especially with an unknown father (at least to them). Rumors would spread, and things would take a turn for the worse. Similar to that of Naruto's childhood, Sakura would become an outcast. The kunoichi's heart swelled with emotion.
"Once you come back, you can sort out your affairs with a certain shinobi and—oh, Sakura don't cry." The Godaime walked over to her student and placed her hand on her pink head. "It's all right."
"…I'll go." Sakura sniffed, blinking away her tears. "I'll go."
"I need another drink—"
"I thought you said it was water." Sakura laughed lightly as the Hokage took a deep drink of her sake.
"When Shizune's here, it is."
"Fine." Sakura stood in front of her desk, finally composed. "Where am I going?"
"Northern gypsy territory, where your last mission's charge is. Tsunade took another large gulp of her alcohol and exhaled a heavy breath. "She actually called for a medic-nin, so this is legit. They need protection from a few rowdy, low level shinobi. They won't be a danger to you or your health—I wouldn't send you there otherwise."
"Anything else that I need to know?"
"You'll leave tonight; they will come and get you. And before you say anything about going there yourself and that you're perfectly capable—I know. But that Tama requested if she could come and get you." Tsunade stood and handed Sakura a scroll of instructions and stats on her targets. "She'll meet you at the gates."
"I'll send you a letter every week, okay?"
Sakura nodded and picked up her bag of supplies for her mission. She had told Ino what was happening, and her blonde friend was relieved. Ino had been worried about what the villagers were going to do to her to if they found out about her being pregnant. The two women were standing at the gates waiting for Tama to come and pick her up. It was at least a two-day journey to the gypsy village—and Sakura felt queasy thinking about the ride on the wagon. She might just tell her friend that she would prefer to walk alongside her.
"At least if Naruto comes back before you do, I can send his sorry ass up there." Ino smiled lightly, trying to distract the kunoichi from the tension that hung in the air. They knew that when Sakura came back, she would be carrying her baby with her.
"Haruno, your wagon's here." She heard the guard call to her, and sure enough, there was Tama waving warmly towards the two kunoichi. Sakura waved back and turned to Ino.
"You'll send letters, right?" She felt like a seven year old leaving for summer camp. It wasn't as if she hadn't been on such extended missions before, but it was usually with another familiar person from Konoha—like Sasuke, Naruto, or even Hinata. But this was something completely different.
"Every week, billboard," Ino repeated.
"Okay…well…bye, pig."
"See you soon, billboard brow." Ino stressed her words, reminding that the kunoichi would be back. Sakura smiled and walked towards the wagon.
"It's good to see you again, Sakura." Tama smiled, holding out her hand to aid the woman with her knapsack. The pink haired woman declined and sat herself onto the wagon. Her stomach had settled.
"Well, this ride should be quick because we're not carrying anything." The gypsy jumped onto the driver's seat and took hold of the reins. "Ryuu is my fastest horse. We will reach my village in no time, Sakura. Then you can catch me up on your adventures."
The kunoichi smiled and reached her hand into her pocket, where Naruto's note stayed. She wrapped her fingers around the parchment and took a deep breath.
I'll be back, Naruto. Wait for me.