Child of the Leaf

Chapter Eight

by operadeglace


(In this chapter, Sakura's personality is based off of the girl in chapter 699, whom I don't recognize as the real Sakura, but, Kishimoto has canonized. Bear with the story… it will all turn out good in the end!)


Sixteen years ago…

"You're lucky to have such a wonderful boyfriend, miss."

A shop owner told Sakura as she was given an entire bag of oranges.

"He said you needed these and told me to give them to you when you walked by."

Heat radiated from her face as she accepted the bag with a grateful bow of her head. As she looked into the brown paper sack, she saw a piece of paper which she fished out and read.

It was scribbled in Naruto's messy handwriting.

'I know you aren't feeling well, so I got you these to help you feel better. See you later!

Naruto'

Sakura smiled and hugged the oranges to her chest.

She never thought that her stubborn team mate could possess such thoughtfulness. Even knowing that they weren't in a real relationship, he treated her like a queen.

What kind of relationship were they in, anyway?

The pink haired medic nin looked down at the note once more, pondering that question in her mind.

A few weeks back she had come to Naruto feeling broken and alone…

Sasuke had left her behind again.

For three days after his departure, she isolated herself from the world, and wallowed in self pity and loathing. In her mind, his leaving meant that she was inadequate. Weak. Ugly, even, unworthy of the sole surviving Uchiha's love, after all that she had sacrificed for him… she was acting so pitiful and pathetic, it hurt for her to think about it.

One day, while crying in the confines of her room, Sakura heard something stir outside on her balcony. When she opened her curtains, there was a brown paper bag sitting just outside of her glass door.

When she grabbed the bag, a note fell into her hand.

'Sakura-chan, I hope you aren't sick. You can talk to me anytime.

Naruto'

For the first time since Sasuke left, the medic nin smiled.

She always felt happy when she was around Naruto.

The coldness around her seemed to vanish as she thought of how many kind things Naruto had done for her during the course of their friendship.

'You can talk to me anytime.'

She reread the scratchy note several times before she slowly rose to her feet.

Her body seemingly moved of its own accord as she made her way in the cover of night to his apartment.

She just wanted to be loved.

She wanted to be the strong kunoichi she knew she had become in Sasuke's absence.

The strong one she became in Naruto's presence.

She needed warmth and light.

"Sakura-chan… Sakura-chan…"

Sakura blushed as her mind replayed the events of that starry night.

Now that intimacy was a regular thing with she and the former jinchuuriki since that particular night, it was hard not to think about it on a regular basis.

What he lacked in words, he really made up for in passion.

But, the question still stood… what had he become to her?

1. Naruto gave her thoughtful gifts on a daily basis.

2. They went on dates.

3. She allowed him to hold her in public.

4. Coitus… lots of it…

If the shadow of Sasuke didn't haunt her heart, she would have considered herself Naruto's girlfriend.

After all, over these past couple weeks, she realized that she loved the idiot in return…

'You love Sasuke just as much as you do Naruto, yet the fool gives you all of his heart unselfishly.'

Sadly, Sakura tucked the bag of oranges into her work locker and buttoned her white hospital coat.

"He deserves more than you can give."

That naggy voice in the pit of her mind was right, she felt.

How could she do this to Naruto who was giving to her so freely without asking for anything in return but pure love?

She took one of the fruits from the sack and slips it in her pocket before starting her shift. A nurse with short brown hair and glasses intercepts Sakura on her way to the hospital reception room.

"Good morning, Haruno-san! You… you don't look well…"

The woman says, looking over the younger medic nin curiously.

"I've been under a lot of stress lately, Ito-san, but, other than feeling a little nauseous, I think I'm okay." She smiles, waving her hand dismissively in front of her face.

"Alright, if you're sure." The nurse bows before taking her leave. "Oh, Tsunade-sama is waiting for you in the reception room…"

"I know, thanks."

The smell of the orange in her pocket comforts her as she walks into the reception area to see her mentor, one of the legendary san-nin, standing impatiently with her arms folded under her large chest.

"You're late, Sakura." The former hokage states with a displeased look on her face.

"I'm so sorry, I was feeling a little…"

The room started to spin.

"..I was feeling…"

Then her head felt like it was floating painfully away from her body.

"… f-feeling…"

Luckily she was able to find a trash can before she started to empty the contents of her stomach.

Ten minutes later, Sakura found herself recuperating on a hospital gurney in a small examination room. Tsunade opened the door with a confused look on her face as she walked to the side of the younger woman, the shadows cast by the drawn curtains obscuring her face.

"I know you and Naruto have been getting very... close, lately."

How did she know about that?

"Are you two sexually active?"

She asks very cautiously, her lips set in a firm line.

Sakura's eyes shot to the floor as her face burned with embarrassment to be asked such a question.

"I see…" Tsunade continues.

"Sakura… you're pregnant."

— Story by ODG


NS FTW