Chapter 3: Poor Unfortunate Souls

"Can you believe that?" Karin squeaked into her communicator. "He actually kissed her!"

"Well, whattya know," Suigetsu laughed in response. "He's strait."

"Of course he's strait, you idiot!" Karin snapped. "But, why is he kissing her. I'm so much better looking and tougher too. Wait-what's that?!"

Suigestu raised a questioning eyebrow in response to Karin's voice suddenly disappearing.

"She's pregnant!"

Suigestu had to laugh, "Way to go, Sasuke."

"Karin, what does she look like? Orochimaru might be interested in this kid."

"Pink hair, fat, ugly, face glued to my Sasuke-kun."

Suigestu rolled his eyes, "Well, that was stupid. Asking Karin what she looked like." He thought for a moment. That hair sounded familiar. "That might be the Hokage's adopted daughter. She's said to have sanin strength."

"Keep an eye on her, Karin. Don't attack until we tell you to. We're going to send word to Orochimaru," Suigetsu said. "You can't hurt her anyway. We need that kid."

A "humph" was heard in response and Suigestu was sent to work on writing an efficient message to Orochimaru.

"All we have to do is wait for orders now," Suigestu said.

"My lord, a message," the servant was out of breath and eager to please his master.

"Well, what is it?" Orochimaru snapped, already annoyed with the boy's eagerness.

"Suigestu says that Sasuke has been sighted. Also that Tsunade's adopted daughter and protégée is carrying his child. They are awaiting orders from you, Milord, to capture her and bring her to you," the messenger said.

Orochimaru sat up straighter in his chair, a hand coming to his face in contemplation. Two for the price of one. If I capture the girl and the child I could use them to get Sasuke back in time to take over his body, dispose of her, and train the child for my cause. He also says that she is Tsunade's protégée. This could be beneficial. Very beneficial.

"Tell them to bring the girl unharmed," he said, sinister smile pulling at his lips. "Let Sasuke and only Sasuke know you have her when you're close. We don't have much time."

"Yes, milord," The messenger said before running off.

"Well, milord, I would think that I need to set up one of the rooms for a birthing and Sasuke will need a nice room downstairs," Kabuto sneered from the shadows.

"Yes, I would believe so," Orochimaru replied with an evil chuckle. "Make sure it's nice. I have reason to believe our guests should be arriving soon."

"Yes, sir," Kabuto said, moving to do his work with an evil smile plastered on his face.

"Poor unfortunate souls," Orochimaru mumbled to himself. "What would they do without me?"

"Nothing, milord," A servant responded from his side. "They are very ungrateful."

"And after all I've done for Sasukue," Orochimaru sighed.

"I'm sure you will find an efficent way in punishing him, milord," said the servant.

But how? What could be efficent enough? What could make my message perfectly clear? Orochimaru pondered over this. The girl. Dangling her in front of him? Her life in my hands? That sounds just good enough to work. The child, of course. The heir of the Uchihas. The only hope for the clan. No, I can't use the child. The girl would get in the way of that. So would Sasuke. I will just have to use the girl. Eventually I will have to kill her, but for now...she would do. Maybe I could even convince her to work for me. We need another medic. Kabuto might not last forever...

"You know," Sakura said with a happy sigh from her stool as she watched his expert hands slice their meat into clean, neat cuts and place them in the skillet. He gave her an "Hn" in acknowledgement. "When Naruto finds out you're here that door is not going to keep him out."

"That dobe won't think to look here," Sasuke said. This was the most he had spoken in the last couple of years, or the most he had to say to her. "He figures you would come running if I came."

"I suppose so," she said, reaching for some rice with her chopsticks. This was taking forever to cook. He gently pushed her hand away, telling her to wait softly.

She played with the end of his shirt that she had put on over her tank-top and pajama shorts. She felt her face turn pink with embarrassment. She knew she shouldn't be embarrassed. She was carrying his child for God's Sake. It was just the way he was looking at her right now. It was a look she had only dreamed about.

She looked up at him through her eyelashes taking in his toned chest. It was like he was chiseled from stone. A perfect, marble statue cut just for her. Just like he was there in front of her, he had vanished. It took a moment for her to register he had moved. Then, she could feel his hot breath on the back of her neck.

Chill bumps fought their way to the surface of her skin, coating her. Her muscles tightened at their surprise closeness. She felt his mouth right next to her ear, soft air causing her to shiver in pleasure.

"Sakura…" That was all it took to send chills down her spine. The combination of teenage and pregnancy hormones went crazy in her mind. They crashed against the walls of her inner self and nearly caused her to do something rash and pull him to the middle of the floor of their kitchen.

She turned slowly to face him, allowing herself the pleasure of letting her hands run down his chest, memorizing every dip and curve. Every muscle. Ever skin cell. The warmth. He was surprisingly warm, despite his lack of shirt.

He let his hands rest gently on her elbows as he allowed her to feel him. Then, slowly, softly, tenderly he let his hands rest on either side of her stomach protruding from her shirt. His head rested lightly against her shoulder, just soaking her in. She felt a light flow of chakra go through her stomach and wrap itself around her room. She didn't know if the action was unconsciously done or if he meant to do it. But, she didn't care. It was too sweet. Tears sprung to her eyes. This was new. A new she could live with. He was so gentle and tender that she couldn't help but cry from the beauty of it all.

Then, inside her she felt their child respond to the chakra, kicking the spot where Sasukue's palm rested. She felt a whisper of a smile against her skin. Barely there, but she could see it out of the corner of her eyes.

He had really changed. He wouldn't be going anywhere for a while. This was the moment he needed to keep him here, that she knew. Nothing could tear him away now. Well, maybe only one thing…

"Sasuke, the meat's burning…"

"I'm concerned," Tsunade mumbled to Shizune over some sake.

"About Sakura, milady?" Shizune offered, wanting her to continue.

"No," Tsunade snapped. "They lost the Akatsuki a couple of days ago. They're planning something…I just want to know why they're coming back. They're not getting Naruto, what else could they want?"

Shizune shrugged. Nothing came to her. She had to ponder about it a minute while she stroked Ton-Ton. "Maybe their planning to attack Sakura to get to Naruto?"

Tsunade looked away as she thought over this. No doubt that could really happen. Itachi was cruel like that. Their was no telling what he'd do to get Naruto on his side. And if their was enough threat, Naruto would comply. But, no matter what Sakura would still end up hurt. That's just the way Itachi worked.

Then there was Orochimaru to think about. She knew him well enough to know how he would get Sasuke back or another with enough potential for his cause. He wouldn't keep Sakura around; she was too sweet for him. She was to good. She would try to escape with his future prodigy.

And what about Sasuke…where was he anyway? Why isn't he back yet? Surely he'd heard by now…He'd been spotted by some ANBU but disappeared off the radar earlier that morning. Where could he have gone?

"Send some ANBU to guard Sakura's apartment and I want guards with her whenever she comes out," Tsunade said. "And send some ANBU to check out the old Uchiha district. I have a hunch."

"But, Lady Tsunade…" Shizune wanted and explanation.

"I said NOW!" She snapped. A worry was filling her chest. She couldn't understand it…Naruto had teased it was motherly love…but that couldn't be it…She lowered her eyes to the table…maybe it was love only a mother could feel…

Gah…you're going soft…

Author's Note: Edited!