A/N: Thanks to my beta reader! Would not be able to do this without you T_T
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
Sakura,
Hinata had her twins—two healthy boys. One has Hinata's violet hair, and the other has Kiba's wild brown. Both of them have the Hyuuga eyes. They're kinda cute for being the spawn of a dog fanatic and an introvert. No doubt those kids will have their own canine familiars soon.
How are you coming along, billboard brow? Four months already. From your medical description,you wrote that you're the size of an ox? I highly doubt that. Try to control your moods, Sakura. You're already crazy as it is.
They haven't returned yet; it's beentwo months since they left, and one for you. Shika still hasn't told me anything, but I know he'll crack sooner or later. It's fun interrogating him. I just hope that those two will get here and that you can come back. It has to be boring there—you already took out those pathetic low level ninjas, right? What are you doing now? Collecting herbs for the medicine man there while they dance around the fire? Or are you telling people their fortunes? Kami knows you could probably do with a real shower.
And before you even think it—yes, I'm bored! Shikamaru left a few hours ago to report to the Hokage. He should be back by evening—then I can restart my interrogation. But for now, I guess I'll go train with Chouji today. Don't want to be in poor shape by the time you get back.
Write to me soon. Pregnant or not, I have no problem dragging your butt back here if I don't hear from you!
Oh—and Happy Birthday, billboard brow! Twenty years and you're still not as hot as I am. What a shame…
-Ino
Ino,
It's great to hear from you again. I almost thought that you forgot about me, considering it's been almost three weeks since your last letter. I know you're busy with the flower shop and Shikamaru, but your letters are the only thing keeping me sane. And if I hear one more crack about controlling my wild pregnancy moods, I will make sure to place a curse on the next letter I send you. One that even your Shika can't break…
This small village here isn't horrible, but I miss the village and the Hospital—the sterile smell of cleaning products, the patients' complaints, and even the paperwork! I'm driving myself crazy here. I train everyday—low impact, of course,as I'm coming along—in the nearby fields. I'm eating all the right foods (except for the occasional bizarre cravings…I won't go into detail), and I'm taking my prenatal vitamins. Tama has become my OBGYN—or should I say midwife? She's been delivering babies in this village almost all of her life. She gives me a weekly check-up,and we exchange tips on our professions. And as much as you joke, pig, they do have some amazing herbs and flowers here. Some that even your shop doesn't carry. There is this one rare herb called Adficio that, once consumed, drains the person of nearly all their chakra, and another called Perpetro that Tama uses on prematurely born babies. It helps develop their body to a normal state when given the proper dose. It's amazing! They don't even need an incubator with all of these herbs they carry. Their facility is perfect.
I'll stop now before I bore you with anymore medical details, pig.
Nothing about the mission? They haven't even returned? I could strangle those two! What kind of mission could be taking them this long? Shikamaru said it was a high classed mission—so maybe, an A-class escort for a politician? No, then why have Shikamaru for something that could be done by one shinobi? It has to be something where they would need his planning expertise and those two working together in the field. Well, I should get going. I'll write to you later.
Oh,and thanks for the flowers. My birthday was so much better when I got them.
-Sakura
Ino,
I guess you're too busy to write your best friend a letter. Well, pig,everything is just fantastic here. I'm swelling up like Chouji after an all-you-can-eat hour at Ichiraku, my feet are killing me, and I want to punch every stupid man that I see for having the gall to make women go through this stupid pain. Why haven't you answered my letters? Have you found out anything about those idiots? Or are you too busy rolling around with Shika? May I remind you that I'm bigger than an ox now? And yes, from your last letter—which was TWO MONTHS ago—it is a damned medical expression. If I say it is, then it is!
Okay…maybe I'm a little bit on the edge, but I have every right to be. Pig, what is going on? Why haven't you answered my letters? Please write to me soon.
-Sakura
Ino,
I know in my last letter I was going ballistic, but I had reason.
I haven't heard from you in a while. Is everything all right? Send out a letter as soon as you get this, okay,pig?
-Sakura
Ino,
What's going on? I've written you at least 20 letters with absolutely no reply. If I don't get a response from you in the next couple of days, "mission" or not, I'm coming back. Pig, I swear to Kami if you don't reply…I might…just write back, okay?!
-Sakura
Sakura sat down on the edge of her small hut and rubbed her aching feet. It had been four months since she left Konoha on an assigned "mission" and over two months since Ino sent her a letter. The pink haired woman must have written everyday to her blonde haired friend in hopes that she would get at least one reply. But nothing had come. No word on Hinata and her boys, nothing on Ino and her newlywed man, and most definitely zilch on Sasuke and Naruto. The only good thing about being here in this village: no nightmares. She hadn't had one single nightmare since she came here. But it wasn't as if she rested easy.
Sakura had spent countless nights tossing and turning in her bed, her mind plagued with thoughts of the orange clad shinobi. Her feelings were still contorted, but she knew that the second she saw him, her mind would finally stop being so irritatingly hesitant. She knew she was physically attracted to him—what woman wouldn't want a well toned ninja by their side? But there was always that infuriating line that she seemed to be straddling…the one of friendship and love. But the moment Ino's letters had become nonexistent, Sakura had to put her heart on the backburner. Something was going on with that blonde kunoichi, and it was only two days ago that Sakura had resolved to throw this ridiculous mission out of the window. She was going back to Konoha to see what the hell was going on.
"Sakura-nee-chan!" A small boy of eight came running to her and wrapped his thin arms around her legs. "Nee-chan!!"
"Ah, Daisuke." Sakura's green eyes softened slightly. "What's wrong?"
When Sakura had first come to Tama's small home, the little boy had become smitten with her. Her older friend had explained that he had lost his older sister to the rogue ninja a few months back, and the kunoichi's eyes looked similar to the deceased girl's. It took only a day to wipe out those scumbags. Tsunade wasn't kidding when she said they were low-level. A genin level shinobi could have slaughtered them.
"A letter just came for you!" The little boy held up a small scroll that wasn't the usual size of Ino's letters, and Sakura felt her stomach drop. She took the letter and quickly unrolled it to read immediately—
Sakura,
Stay there. I'm coming.
-Ino
Sakura stared down at the quickly written note, completely dumbfounded. She was coming here? What could have happened? The kunoichi's mind raced—letters took two days to reach them. Ino might very well be here before nightfall if she left right after sending the letter. Sakura walked out of the small hut that had become her temporary home in the gypsy village. The community was small, roughly the size of the Konoha Hospital. They lived in their wagons and smaller sized huts like the one Sakura resided in. The village was minute but by no means poor. They chose to live this type of life because that was the way of their culture. Who knew how much money they made every week off of their exotic herbs, spices, and flowers.
"Nee-chan, are you okay?" Daisuke asked.
Sakura's eyes scanned the area, passing over the wagons, the hyperactive children, and the gardens filled with fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers. No Ino. The southern forest was the most direct way here from Konoha, so she could meet her blonde friend there—
"Daisuke, I need to go take a walk. But promise me that we can play some shogi later?"
"Yeah!"
"Okay, I'll see you then—"
She had to run fast—there was absolutely no time to waste. Ino didn't want anyone to know what she was really doing. She told Shikamaru that she would be going to stay the weekend at Hinata's to help her with the twins, and thankfully Hinata agreed to go along with the lie. The blonde kunoichi just prayed to kami that no one really questioned the poor woman. She had a hard time lying to her friends, but at least Ino knew Hinata would try her best.
Only two more miles…
She carried little, knowing that this mission required nothing but her person. But despite the lack of weapons this required, this was to be the most difficult mission the kunoichi had ever done. Ino inhaled deeply, refusing to let her emotions get the better of her. She saw the green clearing up ahead and focused her pale blue eyes on her target. Ino knew that she would be waiting for her; Sakura wasn't stupid. She only wished that what she had to do didn't end up destroying their friendship. Or Sakura…
Sakura stood at the edge of the south forest, her ears and eyes opened wide. She could sense Ino was closing in, less than a mile away. Her heart clenched at the thought of finally seeing a familiar face. One that she hadn't seen in ages…
Sakura looked down at herself, a sense of self-consciousness overcoming her. She wore her green amulet necklace given by Tama and a large white dress that did nothing to hide her blooming womb. She was seven months along now, and it was becoming all too real to Sakura that there was a child in her. Even though Tama explained that she could tell whether it was a boy or a girl, Sakura decided that she didn't want to know until the birth. She would hope that Naruto would arrive in Konoha before she delivered and she could tell him that they were expecting. Then they could find out about their child together. She had planned it out so many times that it seemed like a memory instead of her imagination. Sakura would finally know how she felt about him. In just a couple of months, a baby would be born and no matter the outcome, that child would have a loving family. It would work out somehow…
"BILLBOARD BROW!!" Ino broke through the last part of the forest, and the kunoichi's heart leapt. Sakura smiled as all of her anger, embarrassment, fear, worries, and those ridiculous emotions were thrown aside. She ran to her best friend and latched her arms around her.
"Ino-pig, it's so good to see you!" Sakura said.
Ino took a few steps back and her eyes widened. "Kami, Sakura…you were right. You are the size of an ox; maybe even bigger."
"Watch it, Nara," Sakura spat, her not so easily tamed anger flickered within her. "I have no problem kicking your ass in this state."
"Yeah, yeah," Ino said.
Sakura rested her hands on her stomach, an action that just came to her naturally now, and looked over her friend. Ino hadn't changed a bit; she looked a bit ragged and tired from her journey, but that was to be expected. It calmed the woman to know that nothing drastic had changed between the two.
"So tell me, why haven't you answered any of my letters?"
Suddenly the blonde's face changed entirely. Her already pale skin lost any color it had before, and her light blue eyes dropped down to the ground. "Oh…"
"Oh?" Sakura asked. "Ino, what's wrong? You came all the way here to tell me something, right?" The pink haired kunoichi's voice wavered slightly in nervousness. Something was troubling her friend. And it appeared that it wasn't going to be anything good.
Ino brought her gaze back up to Sakura and nodded. "Sakura, is there someplace where we can sit and talk? This might…well…"
"Y-Yeah, let's go…"
Sakura led Ino to a seat on her cot and immediately closed the door to the small hut, giving them some privacy.
"So what is it that you wanted to tell me, Ino?" she said.
Ino took a deep breath and ran her fingers through her long blonde tresses, her nervousness obvious to the pregnant kunoichi. Sakura sat beside her friend, and the bed sunk in deeply with her weight. Suddenly that familiar pain in her stomach sparked in her and she winced. "Ouch…"
"What? What's wrong?" Ino took hold of Sakura's arm, and her eyes scanned the kunoichi's body for any sign of injuries. But Sakura shook her head, calming the blonde down.
"The baby kicked. He's really strong."
"Oh…" Ino sat back, her face returning to that paler shade of white. "Sakura…" The woman took a deep breath. "I know what Shika's mission is."
"You do?!" Sakura sat up as straight as she could without causing too much discomfort to her. "What is it? How did you find out? I didn't think Shika would tell you—"
"He didn't." Ino reached into her pocket and pulled out a sheet of crinkled paper. "I found this. I was looking through his files, and I came across it. I almost got caught, but thankfully I'm a trustworthy wife…" Her wit didn't go unnoticed by her friend as she smoothed the paper out and held it in front of Sakura, letting her read it. It looked like some notes written in Shika's careful script.
Name: Unknown
Alias: The Collector
Age: 42
Weight: 115 kg
Height: 165.1 cm
Unusual Characteristics: Likes to collect people
with interesting power types like the
Sharingan or Shaman types.
Special Techniques: Unknown
Shinobi group consists of 1520 men as of last monthnow.
None of the shinobi seem to have any known powers—possibly
casualties?
Possible Headquarters: River country
West Fire country
East Fire country
North East Fire country
Known hostages: Hatake Kakashi
"The Collector?" Sakura said.
"Apparently they're after this guy who has a growing group of rogue ninjas. Kakashi must have been kidnapped or something, and the Hokage sent those two in, using Shikamaru as an intelligence agent."
"But what about the ANBU?"
"I don't know…the Hokage must have had some reason to assign those three this mission." Ino folded the paper and put it aside.
"Kakashi-sensei's name is on that. Were they supposed to get him back? Is he still alive?" Sakura took the folded paper and scanned it once more for any other clues.
"He's alive. Sasuke brought him back a few weeks ago…" Ino's voice lowered to barely above a whisper. "He was in bad shape, but he's in stable condition now. Tsunade-sama's watching over him herself." Sakura sighed in relief for a brief moment before she caught on to the entire sentence; then her eyes widened in surprise.
"Sasuke came back?" Her mind raced at the thought of finally being able to go back home. "Then Naruto's back!" She stood up and ran over to her desk and grabbed her knapsack, throwing her things into it. She could go home! She would finally tell Naruto how she truly felt about him and that he was going to become a father. Her heart felt like it was snowballing in an overload of emotions. Oh, Kami, it felt so good to just think about seeing that stupid Naruto—Sakura could barely contain herself. Images of that idiot saying Sakura-chan, smiling that toothy grin, and even eating ramen made her heart skip. Maybe, just maybe she really did...in fact…love him. Sakura smiled to herself as she reached into her pocket to hold onto the note he left for her before leaving.
Naruto no baka…
Her heart fluttered at the thought of going back to Konoha and seeing him in all of his golden glory. "Ino, we should get going before they leave again. They still have to take out that Collector, right? Oh, I'll kill Naruto if he leaves before I get there!" Sakura clenched her fist around the strap to her bag. She had to calm down. First things first: she needed to tell Tama that she was going back, say good-bye to Daisuke, and apologize for not making good about the shogi game promise. But she could come back later to play with—
"Sakura…" Ino's voice was a rough whisper, and the kunoichi immediately turned around. The blonde was near tears. Sakura walked over to Ino and placed a hand onto her shoulder.
"Ino, what's wrong?" Sakura's happiness faltered slightly, but somehow even Ino's tears couldn't sway her joy. "Why are you crying? I get to go home, pig! This is good news. Or have you come to hate me again?" The kunoichi cocked an eyebrow and waited for any sort of smirk to appear. But her blonde friend's face only contorted in more sadness. Suddenly Sakura's river of happiness started to dry out…
"Naruto's…" Ino's eyes began to water. "He…Sasuke…"
Sakura shook her head. "What are you going on about, Ino pig?"
"Sakura…you can't come back." Ino swallowed deeply and clenched her fists. "It will…"
"What?!" Sakura took a step back, her anger flaring. "What do you mean I can't come back, PIG?!" She tightened her hold on her bag, her knuckles turning even paler than Ino's face.
"Naruto…he…"
"WHAT ABOUT HIM?!" Sakura wanted to punch out every single tooth her friend held in that fat mouth of hers. How dare she say that she couldn't come home?! After all those months of being alone in this unfamiliar place waiting to give birth to that idiot's child! HOW DARE SHE—
"HE'S DEAD, SAKURA!"
Every muscle in Sakura's body went numb. It felt as if someone had ripped her lungs out from her throat and threw them to the ground beneath her. "Wh-wha-?" Her words were haphazardly spoken and her mind just couldn't compute anything correctly. What just happened? What did she just say? Wha-what?
"Sasuke came back with Kakashi alone. He said Naruto was killed by him…The Collector." Ino's words were shaky, but they packed such a powerful blow. Sakura felt her chest tighten and her face twist in agony. Her breath shot out of her in painful gasps and cries.
"NO!" she grabbed her bag and threw it across the room and straight through the wall, a loud crack vibrating in her ears. "NO!" The tightening in her chest spread down into her abdomen, and she clenched her fists. "You're LYING!" Her vision of the future came crashing down around her in one horrible moment. This couldn't be happening. Naruto would never be so reckless as to get himself killed. He would never—
I will come back, Sakura-chan!
"LIAR!!!!" Sakura clenched her fist and hammered it through a nearby table like it was a twig. It shattered into splinters, dust coating every surface around the two women. The pain in her body was growing, and Sakura could only think it was because of that stupid idiot! Damn him! Damn him, that baka!
"Sakura…" Ino stood up, the tears in her eyes all too truthful. The pink haired woman turned away, clutching at her stomach, the pain growing more and more. It hurt so much, what was going on? But it seemed to be that her mind just refused to acknowledge anything; not unless she was to wake up and find that this was some horrible nightmare. Sakura latched onto the nearest chair, her tears mixing with sweat.
"Naruto…" she called out in a painful breath. Her muscles tensed up, and a shock shot through her body. The kunoichi's knees buckled, and she fell to the ground as the pain in her abdomen became too much for her to hold.
"SAKURA!!!!"
Ino rushed to her friend, grabbing onto her before the pink haired woman could fall face first—stomach first. What was wrong with Sakura? Ino felt a cool liquid pooling beneath them and looked down to see a clear fluid pouring from her friend. Ino held onto the shaking woman and brushed her pink locks away from her sweaty face.
No…this can't…
"Oh, Kami, please- HELP! SOMEBODY!!! SOMEBODY HELP!!!!!!" Her breath shot out of her in quick rasps, panic taking control. "SOMEBODY—PLEASE!!!!"
"Sakura?" Someone rushed in through the door, a woman a few years older than Ino. She had dark hair and dark eyes…she was that woman from before. She must be Tama!
"Please help! She's gone into labor!"
The gypsy's eyes widened, and she rushed over, crooking her arms under Sakura's arms and lifted her up. "Get her legs—we need to get her to my place immediately!"
Ino snapped out of her panic and immediately followed orders, taking hold of her friend's legs and hoisting her up. The two women rushed out of the hut, and Ino followed Tama down the dirt path through the small village and towards a larger sized cabin. The villagers around them jumped up in surprise and began bustling about them, shouting out in an unfamiliar language. The two women rushed through the doors of the small cabin and entered into what seemed to be a small medical hut.
"Let's put her onto the table, quickly. She's losing consciousness." Tama and Ino brought Sakura over to the large metal table and placed the woman down gently but swiftly. Ino looked around, not knowing what do to. She felt absolutely helpless—those years of her sensei teaching her basic medical knowledge flew out of the window.
"Get that pitcher of water. I need you to keep her temperature down." Tama grabbed an array of jars and bottles from a counter and placed them next to Sakura. Ino grabbed the dark pitcher filled with water and rushed over to her friend.
"Sakura? Sakura, can you hear me?" Tama took hold of Sakura's shoulders and lightly shook her. "Sakura, I need you to stay with me. You've gone into labor, and in order to make sure your baby can live through this, I need you to keep your eyes open."
"Naruto…" Sakura said. Ino's heart almost broke into a million pieces. This was her fault…but what choice did she have? She needed to pull herself together; if not for herself, then at least for Sakura.
"Sakura, if you don't stay with me, the baby that you and Naruto made won't have a chance." Ino clutched Sakura's hand and squeezed it tightly. "Please, you need to stay awake." Ino grabbed a towel and poured water from the pitcher directly onto the cloth and began to wipe Sakura's sweaty face.
"Okay, Sakura, this is what we've been talking about the past few months," Tama said. Ino looked up to see her garbed in an apron and face mask, bustling about the room mixing the herbs and powders from the jars.
"Naruto…NARUTO NO BAKA!" the woman wailed, squeezing Ino's hand painfully. "Ino, I'll kill him!!!! I'll kill him!!!" She was in hysterics but she was at the very least awake.
"Good, keep her going. I don't care if she's lucid, so long as she isn't unconscious." Tama walked over to stand in front of Sakura, her eyes in complete focus.
"TAMA!" A woman rushed in and began speaking with a quick, foreign tongue. Tama spoke back in the same language, her voice firm and commanding. The other woman nodded and bustled about the same jars that Tama was messing with before.
"What are those?" Ino nodded towards the containers.
"Herbs my people use to help with the delivery and the baby. This child is two months early and will need to consume the Perpetro root mixed with the leaves of the Vigoratus plant." Tama paused, struggling with herself. "That's if Sakura makes it through this." Tama pulled on Sakura's clothing and propped her legs up, checking her status.
"So the baby will be fine?" Sakura's hoarse voice croaked from below, and Ino felt her sweaty hand tighten its grip.
"Yes. Just follow my orders, okay, Sakura-chan? You're already completely dilated—the baby is on its way."
"The baby…"
"Yes, Sakura, your baby. Now when I give you the word, I want you to push as hard as you can, all right?"
"I d-don't know if I can."
"Come on, billboard brow," Ino cried, "I know you can do this!" Ino wiped the sweat from her friend's face and wrapped her arm around her shoulders. "Do this for the baby! He needs a mom!" Ino's mind was so boggled right now with the rush of everything around her. Her best friend was giving birth, and if she didn't pull through this… Ino didn't know if she could ever get over it.
"Okay, Sakura…" Tama leaned towards the lower half of the kunoichi's body, her eyes concentrating. "…PUSH!!!"
"aaaaaAaaaaAaaAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Sakura was in the worst pain of her life. It felt as if she was trying to push a watermelon through her canal. Her thoughts were so distorted that she was amazed she could speak. But despite her blurred mind, she knew that if she didn't follow Tama's orders, she would lose her baby. Naruto's baby…
Naruto…
NO! She couldn't think about it. She needed to shut down that area of her mind right now and close that part of her heart. Focus on the baby. She needed to just focus on the baby. Push. Push. THE PAIN!!!
"I HATE THIS!!!!! DAMN HIM!!! WHHHHHHYYYYYY???!!!" Sakura's fury raged, mixing with her pain and loneliness. Push. PUSH. PUSH!
"I can see the head! You're doing great, Sakura-chan! I need a couple more big pushes!" Tama said.
Sakura took huge gulps of air and tightened her hold on Ino's hand. "OW! BILLBOARD BROW!" Ino cried, but Sakura ignored her. Ino's grip was the only thing latching her to physical reality. The blonde would have to deal with it. PUSH!
"One more big one, Sakura-chan. Your baby's almost out!"
A deep cry emitted from her throat as Sakura gave her all into the last push, knowing that her strength was at its limit. She could only pray that the baby would be okay. She dropped her head down against Ino's arm and closed her eyes. Her body was so tired…
"Sakura!!!" she heard Tama's voice cry out.
"Billboard brow, don't you DARE leave me, you hear?!"
The voices were fading fast, and there was a light behind her eyes growing brighter and brighter. Her body felt numb, and her thoughts were dulling down. The pain that she felt in her heart and in her body trickled away more and more the closer she moved towards that bright and warm light. Is this what it felt like to die? …To leave all her loved ones behind as she stepped beyond the physical realm? But what about—
Then there was a crisp clear cry that broke through. She snapped her eyes open to find Tama holding a purplish blue crying mass in her hands.
"SAKURA!" Sakura felt Ino wrap her arms around her. "I thought I lost you!" Sakura coughed in reaction to her hold, but had no strength to push the blonde away.
"Bring me the potion!" Tama said to the other gypsy. Sakura blinked her heavyweight eyelids and watched the two take her baby to clean up: tying the umbilical cord, washing the baby, and force feeding a dark green liquid. That must be the plant concoction. Then Sakura watched her gypsy friend press her hands upon the baby's stomach, and her palms lit up in a white light.
"What the hell are you doing?" Ino spoke the words before Sakura could get to them.
"I am speeding up the process of the potion."
"So what are you, some kind of magical medicine woman in this village?"
"I suppose you could say that. My potion making is the only thing I truly excel at. I can speed up the process of the potions I concoct, but I guess any medic-nin could do that."
"Is the baby going to be okay?" Sakura asked; her voice was barely above a whisper. She was so tired—it seemed as if she had been running for hours on end.
Tama took a blanket from her helper and wrapped the baby up. "Well, so long as your child drinks the root and leaf mixture every day for the next two weeks, everything should be just fine. I'll help the development along. It would normally take two months, but this is a special case."
"Special case?" Ino asked.
"The baby seems to have an extremely high level of chakra, beyond anything I've ever encountered. I just want to stabilize the body as fast as possible so that it can contain the energy."
High levels of chakra? Sakura remembered Tsunade's warnings from before about the kyuubi, but the kunoichi knew that there was absolutely no trace of his energy within her. This might be just a fluke of innate power…
Tama turned around and walked toward Sakura. "You need to drink some of the Vigoratus too, so that your body can recover quickly. Now, would you like to meet your son?" The cries from the baby were loud and piercing, but it was the most beautiful sound to Sakura's ears.
"Oh…" Sakura looked to Ino, her eyes tearing up. "I have a son…" Her lip trembled as she weakly held her arms out to hold her baby for the first time. Tama placed the tiny boy into her arms, and the loud cries died down as he looked at the new person. The moment Sakura's eyes connected with this little one, she fell in love. Her maelstrom of emotions calmed suddenly as every fiber of her being focused upon this tiny little boy resting in her weary arms. She could barely see it through his scrunched up eyes, but the irises were indeed the purest green, and on the top of his head was a tiny tuft of blond locks, sticking out in every which way. His skin was reddish (as was for most newborns), but she knew from the look of it that it would never be as pale as hers. It was the perfect combination of Sakura and Naruto…at least for the kunoichi.
She smiled down at the baby, and he smiled a wide gummy grin before falling asleep in her arms. It made the woman's heart swell. He was extremely small, as expected from being in her womb for only seven months, but it didn't matter. This was her child that she and Naruto had brought into the world. And this was the closest she would ever be to Naruto again. Sakura knew with every fiber of her being that no one would ever sever this tie that just formed between them. Ever.
"So what are you going to name him?" Ino smiled happily, her eyes watering as she watched Sakura and her son.
"Toru." The name left Sakura's lips faster than she thought of it. Somehow, the name just seemed to fit the little one.
"Toru?" Ino rolled her eyes and smiled. "I thought you would at least go with something a little prettier… like Yuki or Kei." Of course Ino would want some kind of flourished pretty boy name. Sakura could just picture Ino's kids becoming the ninja academy princes with their own fan clubs… She growled, and her eyes darkened.
"Are you making fun of my child's name?" Not even an hour old, and he was being picked on.
"Not with a mom like you. I don't think anyone would have the balls to pick on a child of yours."
Sakura looked down towards the newly named boy, and she held back her tears. "Uzumaki Toru."
Welcome to the world…
He would grow up without his father, but that didn't mean Sakura wouldn't tell him every day about the man that made her heart race with just one smile, about Konoha's greatest shinobi to have ever lived. It hurt Sakura to just think about that orange clad idiot, but it was worth it for the one she held so tightly.
"All right, I think the two of you need your sleep. You have a lot of recovering to do." Tama smiled and took hold of Toru, placing him into a small padded crib. "It's going to take a couple of weeks for him to gather the strength of a regular newborn. And you're going to be in the same condition, I'm afraid, Sakura-chan. You'll be sleeping here most of the time."
"I'll stay with you." Ino gripped Sakura's hand tightly.
"No, pig," Sakura said, "I know very well that you probably lied to Shika about where you were going. So you better go back before he finds out about where you actually went." The kunoichi knew that she was right. Ino was sneaky, but not enough to where she could fool her genius of a husband for too long. He would catch on to her plan.
"But…" Ino looked torn as her eyes strayed between her best friend and the newborn Toru.
"It's all right, pig. Just as long as you keep sending me letters. I'll be perfectly fine." Sakura didn't know if her words were all that true, but she hoped that they held some merit. It would be only too comforting to have her friend beside her, but it would also be dangerous to let Shika find out about Ino's knowledge of the mission.
"I'm visiting again in a week, do you hear me?" the blonde said.
"That would be too soon, pig. Besides…I'll come back in a month."
Ino's eyes widened once she realized that Sakura actually could come back. She had finished her "mission", and there was no reason for her to stay anymore.
"O…okay." Ino looked from Toru to Sakura and sighed. "You know, he looks exactly like him. The only thing of yours he has is those eyes."
Sakura smiled. "I know."
Ino played lightly with the small tuft of hair on Toru's head and laughed lightly. "You're lucky, Toru. You got away scot-free with that regular forehead of yours."
"PIG!"
"I know, I know. Go to sleep, billboard brow. I'll be gone by the time you wake up." Ino embraced her in a tight hug. "And I'll be waiting for you."
Sakura nodded, her weariness overcoming her. She smiled to Ino and nodded to Tama before sleep overcame her.
Sakura was crouched in a cold and dark room, her kunai in hand. He was in front of her, she could sense it. But there was no way in hell he would get his filthy hands on—
"Sakura-chan."
The kunoichi's heart leapt as Naruto's voice echoed throughout the room. She flicked her head in all directions, trying to ascertain which direction it came from, but it was useless. But… he was alive! He was ALIVE. So the man hadn't killed him.
Suddenly a light shone down in front of Sakura and illuminated a short, portly figure with dark, beady eyes and a sickening grin. And in the man's clutches was a certain bloodied shinobi. Sakura jumped to her feet and released the kunai in her hand. The man chuckled and stepped aside as if the weapon were moving at half speed. The kunoichi growled and circled around the man. Her gaze focused on Naruto to see a glazed look in his eyes. What happened to him?
"Let him go, you asshole!"
"Such a beautiful woman with such a dirty mouth. Why don't you try asking me nicely?"
".GO." Her words were spoken through her clenched teeth—her temper began to snap. "Or so help me—"
"Tsk, tsk, my cherry blossom. You've been naughty. Looks like I have to teach you a lesson." Theman's pupils widened, blacking out his sclera completely. Suddenly Sakura felt her muscles weaken and her body drain of any power she held. She collapsed onto the ground, struggling to find the strength to breathe. What was he doing to her?
"Mmmm…yummy," she heard that disgusting voice say. She looked to Naruto and found his eyes becoming more lucid. He struggled in the man's grasp as soon as he saw the kunoichi on the floor.
"Sakura-chan! Sakura-chan!" Naruto called out to her,but she was too drained to respond.
"Get the child. He should be a sufficient meal for me."
No! Sakura inwardly screamed. Not Toru! NO! TAKE ME!
"And kill the jinchuuriki."
NO!!!
Sakura's eyes snapped open as she woke up in an all too familiar sheen of sweat. Her nightmares had come back with a vengeance. This time, she knew who the villain was: The Collector. Sakura's heart pounded relentlessly not with fear, but fury. She had never felt so much anger in all twenty years of life.
Her green eyes darted towards the window of the large medical cabin and she sighed; it was early morning. How long had she been asleep? It could have been hours—maybe days? She turned her head and found that close to her side lay her slumbering baby. He looked much healthier than the last time she held him; the potion must be working—along with Tama's magic. Little Toru's chakra was indeed strong; she could feel it pulsing from his tiny body in huge waves.
She would have to protect him. She was the only one he had in this world, and there was no way in hell anyone was going to get their filthy hands on him. Sakura didn't know how much truth her dreams held, but she wasn't going to ignore them. Whoever this Collector was…he was going pay. Sakura just might take a page from the book of Sasuke…and enact her revenge.
She would have to act stealthily. And she would need all of Tama's help. No matter how much her body ached, she was a shinobi and pain was nothing new to her. Sakura sat up and looked around the room and found Tama resting in a chair not too far from the mother and child. The kunoichi stretched her tense muscles and slowly forced her body to stand.
"Tama," she said, "Tama, wake up." Sakura winced as her sore muscles stretched out. She took a few steps towards the gypsy and shook her awake. "Tama, wake up. I need your help."
"Hmmm?" the older woman groaned sleepily. "Sakura-chan?" She opened her eyes and blinked several times.
Sakura took in gulps of air, her breathing labored. "Tama, I need you to heal me with your potion as much as possible. The same with Toru."
That was apparently the magical phrase to wake a gypsy up. Tama snapped up in her chair, her eyes wide. "What? What's wrong? Sakura-chan, what is it?"
"I'm going to take Toru to Konoha. But I'll be back, don't worry. Right now, I need you to heal both of us as much as you can."
"What are you trying to do?" Tama stood up and looked into Sakura's lucid green eyes. The kunoichi was dead serious.
"I can't tell you, but please do as I say. This is important to me."
"Sakura," Tama said, "I can't give you your complete strength back in just a matter of minutes." Tama handed Sakura a glass of a light green potion, and she gulped it down. Instantly her muscles relaxed and her body was filled with energy.
"Give us as much as you can. We only have until the afternoon. I don't have any time to waste." Sakura walked over to Toru and picked him up for the second time in her life. "Just speed the process up and then give Toru however much potion he needs."
An indent formed between Tama's concentrated eyes. "You'll need to drink your part of the tonic twice a day. Toru needs to drink his every four hours. Understand?"
Perfect! The pink haired woman smiled gratefully and nodded in response. Tama sighed and began to grab the needed supplies for the two. She collected several large bottles of the liquids and placed them into bags. Hopefully Sakura could find the strength to carry them back.
"Sakura-chan," Tama said as she continued to pack, "when I was asleep, I dreamed about that blond boy…Naruto, was it?"
Sakura held onto the still sleeping Toru and forced her mind not to delve too deep into thoughts about Naruto, but she nodded numbly. She looked to Tama to see the woman's eyes locked onto her.
"You are in love with him, no?"
Sakura's heart skipped and she bit her lower lip trying furiously not to cry. She would turn her tears into fury. Tears into fury… She didn't answer Tama, but the gypsy continued on.
"He loves you."
Loved me.
"He knows you are worried about him."
Knew…
"Whatever you are doing… do it quickly. He needs your help."
"Stop it," Sakura said.
"He is going to die if you do not hurry."
"Stop it! He's already dead!" Sakura's voice stirred Toru awake, and the baby began to cry. Sakura rubbed her hand soothingly across his back and began to sway back and forth. Her temper was flaring dangerously.
Tama handed Sakura a bottle of the dark green potion made for the boy, and the kunoichi snatched it from the woman's hand.
"I do not know what you have heard, Sakura-chan… but he is alive. And he will need your help. Otherwise his future will shift into the dark."
"I thought your expertise was in potions, not fortune telling," the kunoichi said. Sakura turned around, not willing to look at Tama. How could she play with her like this?! Toru was the only thing keeping her temper at bay and preventing the woman from killing the gypsy. She took a deep breath and fed the baby. The boy slowly stopped crying and looked up to Sakura, his emerald eyes as wide as saucers as he drank. He could sense something was wrong.
"It is normal for my people to see the future. Our dreams show us the many paths that we may choose."
"Then why are you seeing my future?"
"Because it involves my death."
Sakura's hand froze in motion on Toru's back. "What?!"
"In a matter of days, a ninja group will come looking for me." Tama's eyes glazed over, and her face darkened. "They will take me to their camp, and my life will end there. I have seen Naruto's path of life cross mine at that point. And yours crosses with his."
"You-You're…" Sakura pulled the bottle away from her child and began to put Toru down but the baby started to fuss. Sakura picked him up once more and placed her hand against his back, rubbing soothing circles about his soft skin. Naruto was alive? But…Tama was going to die? What the hell was going on?!
"I know you're confused right now, but this is important—"
"You can't die!"
"I must in order for your family to live."
"WHY?! Naruto is dead! And if it weren't for Toru I would be as well!" Sakura knew deep within her that if it weren't for the child in her arms she would've stopped living the moment she heard about Naruto. She would not have found any more reason to deal with this stupid world.
"Sakura, you need to believe me. Just do as you were planning, and you will see. Now, we must hurry. I have until the afternoon, correct?"
Knock.
Knock.
Knock.
Ino stirred in her slumber; she had only gone to sleep a few hours ago. She had kept Shika up all night, and it was totally worth it. Now there was some stupid thing interrupting her precious beauty sleep.
Knock.
Knock.
KNOCK.
"Ino, can you get that?" Shika mumbled from beneath the covers. He liked to sleep with the blankets covering him from head to toe, so as to block out any "troublesome" noises and lights.
"Why do I have to?" Ino grabbed her pillow and covered her head. She was exhausted from their hours of—
"Too troublesome…"
Ino growled and kicked him from under the sheets. "You owe me for this. Tomorrow night. Handcuffs. No safe word." The blonde could hear her husband mumble in agreement. He would pay.
Knock, knock, knock.
"I'M COMING! I'M COMING!" You stupid bastards…disturb my sleep? I'll kill you. Ino stomped to the door clad in only her black lingerie, but who cared? It wasn't like she was insecure about her body like most women in this city. She knew she looked good.
"What is it?" Ino opened the door and screamed.
"SHHHH!!!!" Sakura rushed into the apartment past her and whirled around. "Is Shikamaru asleep?"
"Sakura! You're here! I thought you were coming in a month! Why are you here in middle of the night? And—" Ino stopped mid-sentence the second she saw the bundle strapped to Sakura's chest. Only a tuft of blonde hair was sticking out from her bundle, but Ino knew that her son Toru was slumbering in that blanket.
"What's going on, billboard brow?"
"I need you to watch over Toru," Sakura said.
"What?" It was way too early in the morning to comprehend something this complicated. Ino rubbed the back of her head and her eyes. "You want me to what?" Ino could feel her brain slowly slipping into reality, contemplating what the pink haired woman just said.
"I need you to take care of Toru. I'm going after Naruto."
That was the moment Ino's mind came to a screeching halt. "Go after Naruto…" She was walking on eggshells now. "Sakura…he's…"
"Alive. I know it. Tama had a dream about it, and she saw him. She knows he's alive. And I believe her...I think. I'm going to go to The Collector's hideout." Sakura walked over to Ino's couch and placed Toru down onto the cushioned furniture.
"What?" Ino walked over to her friend, her mind trying to process what was happening. "You can't be serious, Sakura."
"Look, Ino. I have never been more certain about something in my entire life. If there is even the slightest chance that Naruto is alive, then I am going to help him any way I can."
Ino looked into her eyes and down to that little boy who looked like a Naruto clone. Sakura wasn't kidding. The blonde kunoichi sat down next to the baby and sighed. "How am I going to explain this to Shikamaru?"
"Ino!" Sakura cried and wrapped her arms around her in a vice-like grip. Ino smiled lightly, but inside she was somber, not knowing what was going on in that woman's mind. Naruto alive? It couldn't be possible. But there wasn't anything that Nara Ino wouldn't do for her friend. Sakura pulled away from Ino and handed the blonde a large bag. "I need you to feed him the potion every four hours for the next week." Sakura paused in thought, struggling with her next sentence. "If I don't come back…"
"Sakura!" Ino jumped up and wrapped her arms around her. "Baka! Don't EVER say that!" Ino inhaled deeply. "You're going to help Naruto, bring him back, and become one big happy family. Do you hear me?" She was not only trying to convince the pink haired kunoichi, but herself as well. She could only pray that Sakura was right. And that Naruto was in fact, alive.