Chapter 7

After the Rain

As the weeks passed, Sakura and Shikamaru grew closer together. Any closer and they would have been fused. The weeks turned into months and Sakura began to feel a change taking place inside her body. She had sudden cravings for food that she hadn't even heard of and she couldn't explain it. She gained weight and her stomach began to bulge. She was constantly feeling like she was going to vomit. And she had frequent mood swings that scared not only those around her but herself as well. One minute she was calm and collected and the next…well, let's just say that her anger would have put a famished lion to shame. She knew what was going on; she just couldn't bring herself to admit it. I can't be, she thought, I just can't be. What will Shika say? If only nobody would notice…

Unfortunately, Sakura's luck wasn't that fabulous. People talked about her when they thought she was out of earshot. They whispered and pointed when they thought she wasn't looking. Sakura tried to pretend that the townspeople's actions didn't hurt her, but it wasn't possible. You can only lie to yourself for so long before you finally accept the truth. She knew it was only a matter of time before her mother and Shikamaru acknowledged what was staring them in the face. She hoped they would be more understanding and forgiving if she told them before they found out by the rumors that were circulating around Konoha.

Being young- 15 as a matter of fact- and a mother is no easy task. She wasn't exactly sure about what she wanted to do. Abortion was out- the pregnancy was already too far along. The idea of another family raising her child was too much to bear and Sakura preferred not to think about that. The only option left to her was to keep the baby.

A slight breeze blew through Konoha, shaking Sakura free of her thoughts. Cool metal pressed against her legs and she remembered where she was. Ichiraku's ramen stand. The smell of ramen wafted through her nostrils, tempting her. She was hungry, she realized. Maybe I should get something to eat? No, she thought, I need to find Shikamaru

She stood up and brushed her windblown hair out of her face. The book she had been reading lay forgotten at the bar. After taking a few steps she was startled by a strangely chipper voice.

"Sakura, wait!"

Turning around, Sakura muttered, "What the hell do you want, Naruto?"

Naruto flinched at the harshness in her voice. "I just wanted to give your book back to you."

"Oh…" Sakura sighed. She held her hand out, waiting for Naruto to place the book in her palm. When he noticed her fingers brushing the book's spine, Naruto held it out of her reach and laughed.

"Reach for the sky Sakura!"

Sakura's anger rose to its boiling point and her attempts at smothering it were unsuccessful. Backhanding Naruto across the face, she shouted, "Give me my damn book!"

"Oww…Sakura, that really hurt!"

"I meant it to!"

"Here…" He held the book out. Sakura snatched it from his fingers, turned on her heel, and stalked off. Why the hell does everyone find it funny to mess with me? She thought angrily.

"Don't leave Sakura. I need to talk to you!" Naruto called, but Sakura blocked him out. She just didn't want to deal with his shit right now. More important things were on her agenda than listening to Naruto and his pathetic attempts to mend their friendship. Leaving Naruto stuttering apologies, Sakura went in search of Shikamaru. Being a fairly large village, Konoha had many hangouts, but Sakura knew exactly where to find him. Glancing up at the sky, Sakura sighed, What a perfect day for cloud watching…

- - - - -

Gazing at the clouds might not seem fun to the ordinary human being. But to Shikamaru Nara- the lazy ass of the Hidden Leaf Village- it was one of his extremely few favorite activities. A shuffling sound from behind him caused him to remove his eyes from the clouds and focus them on the source of the noise. Walking across the rooftop of the village gazebo was none other than Sakura Haruno. His Sakura Haruno. The one person he would ask to marry him if they were still together in a few years.

"I knew I'd find you here," Sakura whispered.

"You know me too well," Shikamaru stated simply. After all, why say a lot of words? It's too troublesome.

"Maybe, but you know you love me for it," she sounded confident.

"That I do," he said in his bored tone. Shikamaru sighed, "Cloud watching is relaxing."

"Oh, is it now?" Sakura mocked.

"Yeah it is…would you like to join me?"

"Then what are you waiting for? My arms are wide open."

Sakura walked over and sat down on his lap. She snuggled into his chest before she pulled his lips down to meet hers.

"Hey now! Frisky, are we? I thought we were supposed to be watching the clouds?"

"Come on Shikamaru! You know that I just can't lounge around being lazy. I'm no good at it. Besides, I'm up for a round if you are."

Shikamaru had to laugh at this. "You're too funny Sakura! You know we can't…not here."

"I know baby. I was only joking. Anyway, I have something serious that we need to talk about."

"Oh yeah? What's that?"

"Well…" Sakura suddenly turned fidgety. I should tell him, shouldn't I? I mean, he is the father.

"Go on," Shikamaru prompted. He kissed the top of her head before continuing, "You can tell me."

Sakura sincerely hoped so. I hope he doesn't get mad, she thought, I don't want to lose him. What if he leaves me? No, Shika wouldn't do that. Would he?

"Umm…well…I…okay, I'm just going to say it. Please, please Shika, know that I didn't mean for this to happen. I didn't know. Please just know that I love you and I don't want to lose you. It's going to be hard at first, but I think we'll be able to make it. Please Shikamaru, don't be mad. Don't. Please…" Sakura was crying now.

Brushing the tears from her face, Shikamaru whispered, "What is it Sakura? What has you so worked up?"

"I'm really sorry Shikamaru, but…" Sakura braced herself for his reaction, "I'm…I'm…" She managed to choke out between sobs, "I'm…pregnant." Her voice had become barely audible so Shikamaru wasn't sure if he'd heard right. Did she just say that she was…pregnant?

Understanding slowly spread across his face as the words finally sank in. Sakura couldn't read his expression. Was he happy? Upset? Or worse, angry?

Shikamaru abruptly stood up, sending Sakura sprawling to the gazebo's roof. He didn't acknowledge what he'd done. He merely turned around and walked to the edge of the rooftop.

"No…" Sakura whispered, "Shikamaru wait…please! I'm sorry!"

He halted his advancements to the rooftop's end but he didn't turn around. He couldn't bear to look her in the eye.

"Don't go Shika!" Sakura wailed, "I'm sorry!"

"Don't be…"

"But it's my fault!" Sakura protested.

He turned around then, the expression of guilt written across his face was there for the world to see.

"No…" he argued, "It's mine…I should have been more careful. I'm sorry…"

Shikamaru turned back around and made to leap down.

"Shika…please! Stay with me! Everything will work out!" Sakura pleaded.

"No…I can't." And then he was gone.

"Shika!" Sakura was in hysterics. Sobs uncontrollably wracked her body and she sank to her knees. Clenching her fists, she beat at the gazebo's roof.

"Why…?" she whispered, "why…?"

Lightning blazed across the sky. Sakura looked up and realized that the skies were clouded over and ominous clouds hung in the never-ending expanse above her head. Another streak of lightning lit up the sky, illuminating Sakura's tear-streaked face. As if mourning the loss of her loved one as well, raindrops began to splatter to the earth. Drenched and deranged, Sakura shouted loud enough for all of Konoha to hear.

"Why!?"

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A/N: How was that chapter? Writing it kind of made me depressed...oh well!! Please review!! I loved this chapter!! I hope you did too...