Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by Masashi Kishimoto. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

Pairing: SasuNaru

Warnings: Slash: Male homosexual relationships, adult language, and sexual situations, Mpreg: male pregnancy.

Beta: Kamerreon

The Cheshire Cat

Chapter Eight

Naruto shimmied in between the boxes, hands raised as he edged towards Kyuubi. Trust the damn cat to hide in the little hollow Naruto accidentally made of the boxes when packing.

"Got him yet?"

Naruto glared over at Sasuke who was tapping away on a laptop. He was sprawled out on a couch, the computer balanced on his huge stomach, ordering products online. He was ordering everything from cribs to baby clothes. He wanted to be prepared for when the children came, and Naruto had told him to go nuts.

"No," Naruto grumbled. "He knows we're moving and doesn't like it."

"He's a cat, dobe," Sasuke drawled. "He doesn't have a higher thinking level than: feed me."

"You're a cat too, teme."

Sasuke made a rude gesture to Naruto, not looking up from the screen. Naruto chuckled before turning back to Kyuubi. The cat hissed and swiped at him a couple of times before Naruto gave up with a sigh. He wriggled back out to where Sasuke was waiting, flopping down beside him. Sasuke didn't spare him a single look as he continued to shop. Not liking that, Naruto leant in and nuzzled Sasuke's neck before placing a couple of soft kisses along the smooth column.

Sasuke tilted his head back, allowing Naruto more access, but his eyes never left the screen before him. "Oh, did I tell you I found a nanny?" he asked as Naruto sucked on one spot eagerly.

"Mmm?" Naruto mumbled against Sasuke's neck, not ready to relinquish the flesh.

"Well, you're working and I'm not going to take care of three kids on my own," Sasuke pointed out. "Also, this nanny has experience raising my kind."

"Sounds like a plan," Naruto said distractedly. "Are you done shopping yet?"

"No," Sasuke grumbled. "We've only got a week before they cut me open. I want to get it all now."

Naruto whined as he continued to pepper kisses along Sasuke's neck. Sasuke turned his head to look down at Naruto with a raised eyebrow.

"Are you going to throw a fit?" Sasuke asked. Naruto pouted, thinking it over for a moment, before shaking his head. "Good. Now, what do you think of these?"

Naruto watched in nervous anticipation as Sasuke looked around the house. His face was blank, a perfect poker face, as he inspected the house Naruto had chosen for them to live in for the rest of their lives.

"Um, if you don't like it, Sasuke, uh," Naruto twisted his hands together. "I mean I could still call Temari—"

"Dobe," Sasuke cut him off, whirling to face him with an odd light in his eyes, "it's fucking perfect."

Naruto's face broke out in a smile as he grabbed Sasuke's hand. He dragged the cat through the house to where the three identical rooms sat downstairs. "These can be the kids' rooms!" he chirped. "They should all stay in one room until they're old enough to want their own! The nanny can stay in one of the others. And over here…"

Sasuke smiled as he watched Naruto run around, gushing plans about the house. He wanted to turn the other room downstairs into a playroom, and the spare room upstairs into a study. He went rushing past Sasuke towards the living room when the cat snagged him around the waist, pulling him close. Naruto curved his body around Sasuke's stomach, sighing happily.

"This place is perfect," Sasuke murmured. "Now, shut up."

"Sasuke!" Naruto shouted as he looked up at him. "You bas—"

Sasuke cut him off with a deep kiss, purring softly as Naruto melted against him.

"When are we moving?" he asked against Naruto's lips.

"Three days," Naruto mumbled. "But in two days the kids' stuff and furniture is gonna arrive."

"I can't believe you spent so much on this place," Sasuke whispered.

Naruto grinned up at him. "Money is there to be spent," he said, "and we still have heaps more. This is our future, love."

"And a perfect future it is," Sasuke whispered. "You, me, and the three brats."

Naruto hummed to himself as he bent over the box before him, digging out the books to place on the shelf. He could feel Sasuke's eyes on him from where the cat was lounging on the couch, forced there by Naruto's orders. Naruto ignored the eyes as he continued to unpack. They had only been in their house for two days, and already Sasuke was sulking at not being able to help unpack. Naruto wouldn't let him. They were currently sleeping in the kids' room because Naruto was too paranoid to let Sasuke go up and down the stairs.

The doorbell rang and Naruto let out a squeal. He leapt to his feet and scrambled off to answer the door to their first visitor in their new house.

Naruto's grin faded as he opened the door to reveal Kakashi. He scowled at the grey-haired man as he leaned on the doorframe. "What do you want?" he grumbled. He may love Sasuke, but Kakashi still annoyed him.

"Hello, Naruto," Kakashi said cheerfully. "Always good to see you."

"Is that Kakashi?" Sasuke shouted from inside the house. Naruto's scowl deepened.

"Yes," he shouted over his shoulder.

"Let him in!"

"Why?"

"Naruto! Let him in now!"

"But Sasuke—"

"Now!"

Grumbling to himself, Naruto stood aside and allowed Kakashi to enter. The man practically skipped in, a heavy bag slung over one shoulder. He passed the bag to Naruto immediately, causing him to splutter in annoyance.

Naruto stomped after the intruder, his annoyance spiking when he saw Kakashi kneeling beside Sasuke, prodding at his large stomach. Kakashi and Sasuke were talking in hushed tones, obviously about the pregnancy. Not liking that he was being ignored, Naruto stalked noisily into the room.

"Why are you here?" Naruto demanded rudely. Sasuke looked up at Naruto in exasperation but Kakashi simply smiled at him.

"I'm the new nanny," he informed Naruto. "I have excellent experience raising Sasuke's kind. I raised Sasuke himself, after all."

Naruto's eyes narrowed and he stalked across the room towards Kakashi. He stopped before Kakashi, looming over someone for once in his life.

"You listen to me," Naruto's voice was low and deadly, "I will not have my children raised to be sex toys."

"Of course not!" Sasuke hissed from the couch. "Naruto you idiot!"

"No, Sasuke," Kakashi calmed him before looking back up at Naruto. "Naruto, Sasuke chose to go down that path at sixteen. He also had the choice to back out if he didn't like you, even after you bought him. These cats aren't slaves, Naruto. It's a lifestyle choice. They choose to be trained to provide absolute pleasure to their owners. They choose to devote themselves to another. They choose their life."

"My children won't be choosing that life," Naruto said firmly. He missed the agreeing smile and nod from Sasuke. "They will be raised completely normal."

Kakashi nodded, smiling up Naruto before rising. "Of course," he chuckled. "Now, I have to go get the rest of my stuff, and then you can show me to my room."

"Find it yourself!"

"Now, Naruto, be a gracious host."

"You live here now! I don't need to be a host!"

"Naruto! Are you saying I'm family? I'm touched!"

"AHH!"

"Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God!"

Sasuke growled irritably, a noise that went unheard by Naruto, who continued to chant as he bounced up and down on the hard hospital seat. "Oh my God! This is it!"

"Naruto…"

"It's so exciting!"

"Naruto."

"I mean, this is finally—"

"NARUTO!"

Naruto flinched, spinning back to Sasuke. Sasuke was glaring at him, but it was only half-heatedly. Naruto could see the slight trembles running through Sasuke and his excitement faded immediately. Sasuke was terrified. They were here for his caesarean, after all, and he was terrified. Naruto quickly wrapped his arms around Sasuke as best he could, leaning in to kiss him deeply. Sasuke clung to him, desperately kissing back. He needed to be close to Naruto, even for a moment.

"Sorry," Naruto whispered against his lips, his voice very small.

Sasuke pecked Naruto's lips softly. "It's okay," he murmured. "You're excited. So am I."

"You are?" Naruto whispered hopefully.

Sasuke smirked evilly. "Oh yes," he breathed. "As soon as I get out of here I'm going to fuck you in every room of our house."

"Sasuke!"

"Starting with the kids'."

"Sasuke!"

"Then Kakashi's."

"AHH!"

Sasuke cackled evilly, but when the nurses moved in to take Sasuke away, both Sasuke's snickers and Naruto's outraged cries turned to small whimpers and sobs.

Both were terrified.

Naruto was twisting his hands, terrified, as he waited for news on Sasuke. He had been waiting for ages. It shouldn't take this long, right? Naruto's brow furrowed as he looked around, wishing for someone, anyone, to talk to him.

"Uzumaki-san?"

Naruto was out of his chair in an instant, his eyes wide as he turned to face the kind nurse from earlier: Shizune.

"Yes?" Naruto was by her side in an instant. "What is it? Is it Sasuke?"

"I'm afraid I have bad news," Shizune said with a sigh, causing Naruto's heart to plummet to his feet. "There was a complication with the children."

"Oh God," Naruto breathed. "What happened?"

"The first two children are fine," Shizune reassured him, "but the third is in a critical condition."

"And Sasuke? Oh God, what about Sasuke?"

"Sasuke will be fine. Your third child however, is being moved to the intensive care unit."

Naruto sunk onto one of the hard chairs, dropping his head into his hands. His heart was beating so fast, he was surprised he was still conscious. His slender shoulders trembled as he rocked back and forth slightly. This couldn't be happening. It was supposed to be easy. Oh God, he just wanted Sasuke.

"Can I see Sasuke?" Naruto whispered.

Shizune placed a hand on Naruto's back, obviously sympathetic. "He's still unconscious, but yes. Follow me."

Naruto's eyes were locked onto Sasuke's face as he waited for him to wake. The blinds on the personal room were drawn, the door shut, in order to keep out all the nosy doctors. They were fascinated by Sasuke. It wasn't everyday that they got to see a Love Cat, let alone a pregnant one.

Sasuke's eyes flickered and then opened. Naruto's breath caught as Sasuke raised a hand to his seriously deflated stomach, blinking slightly. His dark eyes darted to Naruto, widening slightly.

And then Naruto burst into tears.

"Oh, Naruto," Sasuke breathed, holding out his arms in welcoming. "Oh, baby."

Naruto crawled straight into Sasuke's embrace, allowing those strong arms to wrap straight around him. Naruto sobbed into Sasuke's chest, the soothing circles being rubbed on his back not helping at all.

"Sasuke!" Naruto bawled. "Our child… our baby!"

"Shh," Sasuke hushed him. "He'll be fine. Did you see the other two yet?"

"No…" Naruto whispered. "Oh Sasuke…"

"You should," Sasuke murmured. He reached over, pressing the button to summon a nurse. In an instant a door leaning off to the side opened, and a nurse bustled in. "We'd like to see our children."

"Of course!" she beamed. She was obviously thrilled at the idea of children. "Right away."

Naruto didn't leave the shelter of Sasuke's arms as the nurse vanished before quickly returning with another nurse, each them pushing a bassinet with a baby in it.

His breath in his throat, Naruto stared at the two cribs holding two of his children. His children. His offspring. Sasuke nudged Naruto slightly, and then the human was scrambling off the bed, hurrying to the cribs.

Naruto gasped as he looked down on his children. Identical in every way, they took heavily after Sasuke. Their hair was as dark as Sasuke's, but at the same time the natural blue highlights were lighter, more visible. Their pale skin was flawless, except for the light whisker-scratches on their cheeks. Dark ears, the same colour as their hair poked out from their hair, matching tails slinking out from the blankets.

They were beautiful: one male, one female.

"Oh…" Naruto's eyes filled with tears. "Oh, Sasuke…"

"Would you like to hold one?" one of the nurses asked with a soft smile. Naruto nodded wordlessly, and the woman scooped up the one closest to her, the male. Naruto cradled the babe close, noting he didn't stir – it seemed he was as heavy a sleeper as Naruto was. Naruto briefly noted Sasuke was being handed his daughter, but was too focused on the little bundle of perfection in his arms.

"Have you thought of names?" Naruto asked.

Sasuke smiled at Naruto as he shook his head. "Of course, but I would never name them without you," he murmured. "What are you thinking?"

"Um… I dunno…" Naruto whispered as he sat beside Sasuke on the bed. "You first…"

"This isn't a game," Sasuke muttered before turning his adoring eyes on his daughter. "These are our children."

"Fine," Naruto grumbled. "How about… Sachio?"

"Fortunately born?" Sasuke murmured. "Perfect."

Naruto grinned at the praise before looking down at his daughter. "And her?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.

Sasuke smiled as he leaned in to inhale his daughter's sweet scent. "Toshi," he said firmly. "Mirror reflection."

"That works," Naruto snickered. "She's just like you, bastard."

"Hey!" Sasuke hissed. "Not in front of the kids!"

Something seemed to light up in Naruto's eyes at those words and a single tear slid down his face. "Parents," he whispered. "Oh, Sasuke, we're parents!"

"Acute observation, dobe," Sasuke chuckled.

Naruto glared at him. "Shut up," he grumbled. "It just set in… I'm so happy!"

Sasuke watched his lover laugh with a smile before it faded slightly. Naruto caught his sombre look and his laughter faded. Sasuke looked down at his daughter sadly.

"The other one," he whispered. "Another boy."

Another tear drifted down Naruto's face as he clutched his son tightly. "We should name him," Naruto mumbled.

Sasuke shook his head. "No, we can't," he said, "not without seeing him first."

Naruto nodded slightly. They both rocked their children back and forth slightly for a while, both silently waiting for news of their third child.

Naruto was pressing soft kisses all over Toshi's face when Shizune returned. Naruto's smile faded immediately, and he quickly set his daughter back into the crib. Sasuke handed Sachio to another nurse as well, his eyes wide.

"The surgery was a success," Shizune declared with a smile. "Your son is fine."

"Fine?" Naruto repeated. "Really?"

"Yes," Shizune said with a soft, sad smile. "However, he will always be rather delicate, and short."

A snort came from Sasuke on the bed, coupled with a smirk. "Like you, dobe."

"Teme!" Naruto exploded. "You basta—ahh… you, dumb-dumb!"

"Dumb-dumb, dobe? Honestly?"

"Shut up!"

Before Sasuke could retort a squeal came from the nurse holding Sachio. The child was awake, his dark eyes blinking in the light. Sasuke held his arms out immediately, and Sasuke was handed his child. He cooed softly to his son, a huge smile on his face that he would later deny.

"When can we see the other one?"

Naruto's question made Sasuke look up from his son. Shizune checked the chart in her hand. "He's in the ICU now," she murmured, "but you can see him."

For a second time Sachio was taken from Sasuke. The twins were taken from the room, and Sasuke was helped from his bed into a wheelchair. Naruto took his hand with a soft smile and they were quickly led off.

Naruto gasped as soon as he saw his second son. Tears flowed down his cheek, and he didn't even bother to stem them.

The child was tiny, so delicate, so fragile, so small and so much like Naruto. He had golden hair, so pure and beautiful, just like Naruto's. His whisker-scratches were darker than the other two triplets. His golden ears and tail were tipped with white, like untainted snow.

"He's so beautiful," Naruto whispered.

Sasuke took his hand and squeezed it. "Like you," he whispered. Naruto leaned into his embrace, pushing a quick kiss to his lips.

"He'll be fine," Naruto silently promised. "He's so bright…"

"Akihito," Sasuke breathed as he nuzzled Naruto's neck. "Bright child."

"Akihito," Naruto repeated with a smile.

Yet somehow, he couldn't stop the feeling that the worst was yet to come.

And here comes the angst...