Tsunade stared at the young kunoichi over the rim of her glasses. She sighed, slowly pulling the frames from her face, and laying them alongside the treaty she was drafting. Leaning back in her chair and closing her eyes, she pursed her lips as she considered her words.

"A mission?" was the only phrase she could muster. Even that took more energy than she had anticipated.

"Yes, I would like an assignment. I know that they are few and far between, but I need to do something," Tenten spoke solemnly, her dark eyes pleading with the Hokage.

"You're the second one," the older woman replied softly.

"Excuse me, Hokage-sama?" Tenten's brow furrowed in confusion. "I-I don't understand..."

"You are the second kunoichi who has requested such," she mulled.

"Requested 'such'?" the young ANBU commander echoed, her confusion less evident as she began to grasp what the Fifth was inferring.

"A mission in your current state!" Tsunade snapped, glancing at Tenten's stomach.

Tenten's face immediately became pink as she dropped her eyes. Tsunade sat forward in her chair, glaring at the young woman, "Of all the people, I would have expected this least from you!"

"I-I..." Tenten trailed off, at a loss for words. She was confused by the Hokage's sudden anger.

Tsunade sighed, rubbing her temples in frustration. She had a feeling that Shibi's anticipated plans had not gone accordingly. That theory was supported by the fact the Tenten had moved out of the Aburame abode—returning to her own meager apartment. Add to that the fact that no one has seen Tenten and Shino together in the past week--an unusual occurrence when both shinobi were not on assignments.

She peeked through tired, heavy lids, briefly examining the young brunette. Her hair wasn't entirely done, her face was pale and sullen—as if she wasn't sleeping. Even her eyes were puffy. She had been crying, Tsunade knowingly told herself. Perhaps she was being too harsh, but she had such high expectations for the woman who had claimed that she wanted to, one day, become as strong as the current Hokage. Were you always this strong, Tsunade? Was it always so easy to hide how you felt? her inner self chastised her. She cringed at the self-beration, deciding that she should not blame Tenten for how she felt.

"I'm sorry." Tsunade replied gruffly, her eyes still closed.

"What?" she replied, immediately cringing at her lack of formality. "I mean--"

Tsunade decided brutal honesty would take precedence. "It seems that my exceptional kunoichi keep getting knocked up," a small, feline-like smile played on her lips. "Then fight with their boyfriends," she risked a peek at Tenten, who remained mum. "And then want to go on missions. I just don't get it."

"I don't want to sit around and feel sorry for myself!" Tenten quickly mumbled in response, a stray lock of chestnut hair falling into her face. "Besides, I need to do something. For years I have been active each and every day. Do you know how it feels to suddenly become a slug?" She hadn't meant to use that word, and immediately covered her mouth with her hand.

Tsunade threw back her head and laughed loudly. Her laughter rang out for a few minutes, before she regained her composure. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" she waved her hands frantically, "I needed a good laugh!" she smiled, gesturing at the paperwork strewn across her desk.

"Yeah, at my expense, apparently," Tenten mumbled, though in good humor—as suggested by the way the corners of her mouth curled upward.

"What was that? You want to grade Chunin exams for the remainder of your pregnancy?"

"Y-you wouldn't!" Tenten gasped, her eyes wide with horror.

"No, I wouldn't," the Fifth admitted. "I, too, know what it's like to be kept from your duty. Against your will." She shuddered at the memory of her fight with Pein and her subsequent condition.

The two women remained silent for some time. Tsunade was the first to break the silence, "Between ten and fourteen weeks, I presume?"

Tenten nodded, "Probably closer to fourteen. I was pregnant before Kushina was born."

"I see," Tsunade replied calmly. "So you'll start showing soon."

"I'm already noticing that my waist is expanding," Tenten grumbled.

"Please, mine has been doing that since my thirties!" the Hokage waved her hand dismissively. Her face suddenly became more serious, "I'll let you perform your ANBU missions until about twenty weeks. After that, it's going to be basic kunoichi duties. Nothing too laborious."

"But--," the younger woman began to argue.

"I remember that your mother was bedridden after twenty four weeks, so I will have to keep a close eye on you," she glanced in Tenten's direction. At the mention of her parentage, the young woman closed her mouth, nodding her understanding. She had been a difficult pregnancy for her own mother, she knew. Though, unlike Shino, her mother survived the childbirth and first few months that followed....

"I was too soft with Sakura, and I won't make that mistake again. My offer is final," her eyes flashed their disdain. "You push it, and I'll have Ibiki put you on permanent leave."

Tenten bowed her head in appreciation. "Thank you, Hokage-sama."

"I expect you to see Shizune after this, so that I can get an exact estimated gestational age and subsequent due date," Tsunade commanded, crossing her arms over her chest in resolution.

"Yes, Hokage-sama," she whispered. It would be her first, legit, pre-natal visit. She had confirmed her pregnancy with a quick pee test and a visit with Sakura. Shino hadn't known back then. She let her mind wander to to the bug-nin....

"Would you like me to send for Shino?" the light-haired woman watched Tenten carefully, as if reading Tenten's thoughts.

The young kunoichi's head shot up at her former lover's name. "No, uh, er," her face became a deep crimson. Blood forced its way into her ears, "he will probably not be interested. But thank you, Hokage-sama." It was a lie, she knew. A blatant lie. Perhaps she should tell the Hokage what she was planning...

"Hmph," she replied curtly, studying the young woman. So what Sakura says is true. I hope Shibi knows what he is doing! She didn't want another Naruto/Sakura fiasco. It was painful to see the one you love face their challenges on their own, she knew.

"Hokage?" Tenten's voice broke through Tsunade's thoughts.

"Hmmm?" she blinked, her eyes still slightly unfocused.

"Can we keep anything spoken here...confidential? I mean, er, that we do not speak about this," she pointed toward her still-flat abdomen. "I would prefer to keep my privacy, that is, until I'm ready to tell others."

Tsunade studied her face. She's hiding something! she considered. It's none of your business, don't meddle! She agreed with the latter thought, curtly nodding her head. "As you wish. I'll leave the joyous news to you."

Tenten risked a strained smile of thanks. "Is that all? May I take my leave?" the young woman asked, quickly standing. Her mask dangled down her back.

"You may. But, remember this conversation. No exceptions, Tenten!" she warned as she picked up her glasses. Tenten disappeared through the double doors as Tsunade's attention went back to the treaty in front of her.

Some days, it truly sucks to be Hokage! the older woman thought, as she reached for her flask of sake.

Shizune squeezed the cool gel on Tenten's slightly full abdomen. "You too, huh?" she smiled at the female ANBU member.

"Don't start, please," Tenten blushed. First Sakura, now her. Both unmarried. Both respectable professionals. Both in tumultuous relationships.

"I'm just trying to make conversation while this machine warms up," she pointed toward the large, out-dated ultrasound machine. She picked up the doppler and began rubbing it along the slight curve of the pregnant kunoichi's abdomen. Tenten cringed at the sound of the thick gel oozing beneath the doppler.

Shizune turned the screen so that Tenten could see what she was doing. "Let's see....so...not too much above the pelvis.." she squinted at the monitor. She brought the tiny instrument lower, closer to Tenten's pubic bone. She didn't need to lower the woman's underwear, much to Tenten's relief. This was all still too awkward for her.

"Ahhh," the older woman smiled. "There!"

"I don't see anything," Tenten, too, narrowed her eyes at the black and white screen. It looked more like a snowy scene than anything alive.

Shizune touched the screen with her finger, "See it? That tiny movement?"

Tenten squinted more. She could see a slight flutter of..something on the screen. "Yeah...so?"

"That's your baby's heart," she replied matter-of-factly.

"Oh," Tenten replied, feeling stupid. "Its..heart...?"

"Yup, it's beating. Still looks like a little alien in your stomach, I know. Well, not so much in your stomach as of yet..." she began chattering.

Tenten stared at the screen. She was still in shock that there was a tiny baby inside of her. Much less a tiny Aburame. She could feel her throat tighten at the thought of Shino. It had been almost two weeks since she had left the Aburame compound. It had taken a few hours after her confrontation with both Shibi and Shino, but sure enough, Shino had come to speak to her.

He hadn't said much, but Tenten had the feeling that he wanted to. She sure as hell wanted him to. All he had to do was to say something, and she would stay. She would marry him. She would love him. But, he was too strong-willed. Too set in his determination. He just mumbled a few things: asking how she was, if this was what she really wanted, if she would be alright. He danced around the real issue at hand: them! He never once directly asked if they were over. Nor did they address if this was what he wanted.

She had a feeling he had wanted to, but his pride was preventing him from doing so. She had wanted so much to hug him, to console him—to tell him she was sorry about his mother. But, she knew that doing so would only hurt his pride more. He needed to deal with those feelings on his own, separate from her—and their--situation. Only then could he really accept the road ahead of him. Shibi had told her that, and she believed his words held some truth to them. She trusted the older Aburame. He had known his son longer, of course.

"Tenten?" Shizune rested a hand on her shoulder. She blinked a few times, realizing she had been day dreaming. "Do you want to keep this?" she waved a tiny square object in her hand.

"What is it?" Tenten asked her voice hoarse from the emotions coursing through her.

"A picture. For you to keep," Shizune smiled. "Of your babyyy," she sang.

"Oh," she reached for the tiny picture. Once in her hand, she squinted at the blurry image. Not because of the picture's resolution...but because of her tears.

"You alright?" the medic's voice was soft. Understanding.

"Yeah," she sniffled, wiping the tears from her face. "Just a lot to take in right now."

"I'm sure," Shizune replied, passing a tissue. "If you need anything, you know where to find me."

"Thanks, Shizune," Tenten replied, wiping the gunk off of her abdomen. She glanced at the picture, turning it at different angles. "Is that...its head?"

"Nope. That's its butt," she giggled. "It's hard to tell this early. It won't be that deformed forever."

Tenten risked a grin as she neatly tucked the tiny photo into her pocket. She would find a safe place for this when she returned to her apartment. It was a new memory; a new feeling—and she wanted to cherish it. Even if Shino wasn't there. Shino.....

"So, how far along?" she risked the question. It had been almost three months since Kushina's birth. And, from her estimate, she was almost a month pregnant by that time...

"Eh, looks like you're about fourteen weeks along," the medic confirmed. Tenten inwardly cringed. Six weeks! She only had about six weeks before she was assigned boring old ninja duties! The other part realized what she needed to hear: it was too late for termination! She had told Shino she would terminate the pregnancy, but, as she thought, she was too far along for that. The first step of her plan was set in place: she would carry this child.

"You don't look that far along," Shizune confessed as she ogled Tenten's stomach.

The younger kunoichi began to feel uncomfortable from the scrutiny. She was sure she would show soon enough. She was more than happy to put that part off. She could already notice a difference in her waist size. She was struggling to fit into her pants, pulling them up higher than usual. Luckily, she was never one for tight clothing, so her uniform and the vest hid her slight bump. Though, remembering what Sakura looked like, Tenten was much less bulky. She wouldn't share that with her pink-haired friend, though.

"Is that it? Are we done?" Tenten asked, crossing her arms over her chest. She could feel the slight roundness against her arm.

"Not quite, I still need to do a little blood work," Shizune replied, her fingers instantly glowing yellow. "Don't worry, it'll be quick, I promise."

"Nah, I'm not," she nodded. "I only have to meet up with my old team for lunch. Feel free to keep me from Gai and Lee's ramblings for as long as you like. I won't mind," Tenten smiled her first, real smile for the day.

Her team met once a week, when they were all off-duty or on short-term missions. It was a tradition they liked to keep, and she found that she looked forward to seeing the entire crew together once again. It felt like one, big, happy family—her family. Neji had joined ANBU shortly after her, so she saw him on as semi-regular basis. Gai—well, he was off being Gai. And Lee was now a team leader. Tenten felt slightly sorry for those poor children. If they could put up him for the next years of their lives...

And today, she thought, I'll tell them about the baby. She could already see Gai's face—full of tears and smiles. She gagged at the thought of his reaction. He would definitely cry. So would Lee.

And later, so would she.

A/N: thanks so much for reading and reviewing--especially those of you who do it religiously. I look forward to reading all of your responses. And I really appreciate it, trust me! It let's me know how I'm doing (and that's important to me, especially when I spend time trying to think of how to write then--then eventually write this). When I write, I really do think of nothing else other than what I'm going to do next--and how to write it. So, from the bottom of my heart: thanks a ton!!

I know it's a tad boring, but it'll pick up. I gotta add some adventure in here. Plus, we need to see Gai and Lee's reactions. Duh. That speaks for itself ;)