A/N: All right all though this is not my first time writing fanfiction, it is new for me to post fanfiction. I would love to know what people have to say about this story but please don't just hate on me.

With that said...I have to say, and it pains me to do so...I do not own the Naruto Universe nor do I own any songs that maybe in here and I sadly never will...but I do however own the creativity it took to write this fanfiction and the oocs in it.

This fanfiction is rated MA or R for any language, violence, or sexual themes/content.

All this being said and done with I hope you enjoy reading Time never heals every wound!

End A/N.

Chapter 16: At Peace At Last

Three months after the wedding found me throwing up in a toilet. Shino knelt beside me holding my hair out of the way. It was three in the morning and I was miserable. This had been happening for two months now. I would wake up at ungodly hours in the morning and promptly run for the bathroom emptying my stomach into the toilet.

"You should go see Sakura today Mina." I groaned but nodded anyway. I had been putting it off for weeks now still not liking the idea of hospitals. I stood with Shino's help and rinsed out my mouth. My husband led me back to bed and held me close as I fell back asleep.

"Mama! Uncle Tachi and Sasuke are here!" I jerked awake to find the spot next to me empty. I got up and through on Itachi's old shirt and a pair of sweat pants. Leaving my hair down I made my way down stairs.

"Wow you look like hell Sis." I glared death at Sasuke and grumbled about unwanted guests. Kyou and Ryou hid behind Shino as I passed and walked into the kitchen. They knew better then to talk to me when I was in this mood.

"We came to get take the boys off your hands today. You need to go see Sakura Mina." Itachi said walking into the kitchen. He stopped and eyed my ruined shirt.

"Is that mine?" I turned and blushed. I had never worn the shirt around Itachi ever since he could see again. I was to embarrassed about having kept it all these years.

"What if it is?" I said turning back around to the toast I was fixing. Itachi chuckled and left the kitchen. I came back out after him with my toast hanging from my mouth. The boys hugged me and Shino before they grabbed their uncle's by the hands and dragged them away.

Shino soon left as well needing to sit in on a clan meeting with Shibi. He was all set to take over next month. I decided that I was dressed enough for an outing to the hospital so didn't bother to go back upstairs to change.

"Oh hey Mina! Not often I see you in here." Sakura said as she walked into the little exam room. Her hair was up and she wore a white doctor's coat. I shifted nervously on the plastic bed.

"Yeah…um…I've been getting sick for the past two months now….Shino made me come." Sakura laughed knowing what Shino must have had to do to get me to come here today. She got to work checking me over.

"Hmm…I think I know what's making you sick." I stared at Sakura as she removed her hands from my abdomen. She smiled softly at me and wrote down something on the paper attached to her clipboard.

"Your pregnant Mina!" I choked on my own spit not expecting her to say that. Sakura sat me up and patted my back until I calmed down.

"How far along am I?" I asked after drinking the water Sakura handed me. She put her hand over my stomach and it glowed green.

"About three months exactly I'd say." I nodded and thought of how to tell Shino. I knew he would be happy and welcome the new baby easily. How to tell Itachi though….I shuttered.

"Don't worry I'm sure Shino will be overjoyed to find out you carry his child." I turned paler feeling sick.

"It's not Shino I'm worried about. It's Itachi." Sakura paled slightly knowing of Itachi's over protectiveness.

"Ah well good luck Mina!" I glared at her then she went on to tell me the do's and don'ts of pregnancy. By time I left the hospital it was lunch time. Shino walked up beside me as I walked down the street.

"So what did she have to say?" I gulped down sudden nervousness.

"I'm three months pregnant."

"Sasuke hold Ryou for me." I jumped and turned to see Sasuke and Itachi standing behind us. Kyou stood next to Sasuke as he was handed Ryou. Itachi looked livid as he stalked towards us. I panicked and put myself in front of Shino.

"Tachi stop it! Shino is my husband and there for is allowed to impregnate me!" Shino's beetles worked their way around me and I was pulled back behind Shino. I stared at his back confused. Itachi took this opportunity to punch Shino right in the face. I gasped and then turned my eyes on my older brother.

I glared hard at him my anger raising. Itachi shook his hand out while Shino straightened himself and wiped away the blood that trailed down his nose. My anger peeked when Itachi smirked. I rushed forward and slapped my older brother for the first time in my life.

Itachi staggered back shocked. His hand rose to touch his cheek as he stared wide eyed at me. I glared at him before turning and taking Ryou from Sasuke. Kyou followed after me as I retreated grabbing Shino's hand on the way. I dragged them all the way home still pissed at my brother.

A month passed by and I had yet to speak to Itachi. Shino and the boys would try to talk me down from my stubborn position, but only made me more stubborn. There was a knock at the door drawing my attention away from the food I was making myself. I walked over to the door with my hand absentmindedly on my small protruding stomach.

"Min-" I slammed the door in Sasuke's face. I walked back into the kitchen and started eating. Sasuke opened the door and walked in being mindful to watch that I didn't reach for anything throw able.

"Mina I just want to take a walk with you." I sighed and looked at my twin. He wore dark jeans and a black tank top under a blue jacket. I nodded and finished my sandwich. I didn't bother to change out of my shorts and one of Shino's short sleeve shirts. My own didn't fit anymore but I was stubbornly potting off shopping.

Sasuke and I walked the streets of konoha in silence. We passed people who waved at us and I waved back. Sasuke looked to be in deep thought. I stayed silent and let him think. We walked down a deserted ally just wondering.

"Itachi was right to hit him you know. I mean you are his little sister." I turned of Sasuke then. Red hot anger pulsed through me.

"He had no right! Shino is my husband Sasuke!" I glared at my twin and to my ever great regret my sharingan activated its self. It only took a second to happen. Once second I was glaring at Sasuke and then the next I found myself against the wall struggling for air. Sharingan eyes stared back at me filled with hatred. Sasuke had gotten his memories back.

[Shino's P.O.V]

I walked into our home expecting to find Mina in the kitchen eating something weird again. It had become a habit recently to find her trying to state her rather bizarre cravings. When I didn't find her there I looked upstairs.

Nothing, a cold dread swept into my stomach when the boys came home alone. I took them to my father so I could search for my pregnant wife. I sent my beetles out to look through the Village. They could cover more ground and knew her chakra almost as well as they did my own.

I ran along the roof tops off shops thinking she might have gone out to buy clothes. I didn't find her so I looked in the park, on top of the monument, and even the graveyard. She was nowhere to be seen. The feeling of dread filled me more as a singular sound caught my attention.

It was a blood curtailing scream. Desperation filled me as the scream sounded painfully familiar. I ran as fast as I could towards the sound. I turned down an ally way and froze at what I found. Sasuke stood with his hand stuck into Mina's stomach his chidori still chirping loudly.

"Mina!" I yelled starting to run towards my wife. Mina turned and gave me a heartbreaking smile blood dripping from her mouth. Suddenly lightning crackled to life around Mina's body. Sasuke tried to pull back but Mina held him firmly in place.

"I'm sorry to be the one to do this Sasuke…" I barely heard Mina say over the crackling of lightning. Sasuke glared at his twin and struggled as the lightning started to expand slowly engulfing him. Once it was encasing Sasuke there was a bright flash as a white hot bolt of lightning flashed down from the sky. It struck Sasuke with blinding force and he screamed out.

Rain started to pour from the sky above as Sasuke staggered back before collapsing. His hand torn free from Mina's stomach. I ran for her as she tumbled forwards. I caught her just in time and held her in my arms. She looked up at me through glossy eyes.

"Mina stay with me! You're not going to die you hear me!" I choked out. Mina reached her blood covered hand up and placed it on my cheek. Tears fell from my eyes as she removed my sunglasses. Her hand moved back to my cheek.

"I hope that our child…has your…eyes…." Mina rasped out. Suddenly her eyes slowly closed and her hand went slack falling to her side. My eyes widened and I acted on pure adrenalin as I ran to the hospital holding my wife's motionless body close to me.

"Somebody help her!" I was beyond caring at who saw me like this as I yelled as soon as I entered the hospital. Ino and Sakura dropped their clipboards and rushed towards me. Someone brought a gurney and I set Mina down.

"What happened Shino?" Saukra asked franticly trying to restart my wife's heart. I looked from Mina's paling face to Sakura.

"Sasuke did this." Ino and Sakura jerked their head up looking at me surprised before Mina's body started jerking around.

"She's going into cardiac arrest! Get her secured!" Sakura yelled as she tried to hold Mina's flailing body still. I watched in horror as Mina's heart monitor went wild before it went silent again. Sakura cursed loudly and started C.P.R again desperate to save Mina's life.

I watched frozen to the spot as Mina was wheeled away down the hall into the ER. I sank to the ground after I could no longer see her. Someone came running up behind me. I didn't care to see who because I knew.

"What happened Shino?!" Itachi yelled at me as he looked at where they took Mina.

"Sasuke." Was all I could say. Itachi sank down against the wall to my left. His hand covered his eyes and I knew he was trying to stay together just as desperately as I was. Hours passed and more people came to sit in the waiting room. My father had gotten me to move into a chair at one point.

Ryou and Kyou held onto me like death its self was going to come claim me. I didn't blame them for it and held onto them as they cried. Mina was in and out of cardiac arrest and no one knew how the baby was. More time passed and the boys had cried themselves to sleep in my arms. Sasuke's body was found and taken to Ibiki for the time being.

"Shino…" I jerked my head up and stood carefully moving the boys. Sakura stood in blue scrubs covered with Mina's blood. I walked forward almost afraid to hear what I thought was coming.

"She has stabilized enough for us to get a look at the baby…Mina must of seen the attack coming because she somehow protected the baby sacrificing her own safety to do so." A small portion of weight was lifted off my shoulders at hearing our child was unharmed.

"You can go in and see her. Only three at a time though. Ino and I will stay close by in case she relapses again." I nodded and followed her to Mina. No one came with me so I could sit with my wife alone for a few minutes.

I walked into the small room and looked at my wife lying on the bed. Mina was hooked up to different machines and had several IV drips attached to her arm. I sat down in the stool next to her bed. I gently took a hold of her left hand. It was cold but still held a little warmth to it.

I kissed her hand and held it close to my face. Tears I had been forcing back came flooding out. I felt relief and grief at the same time seeing Mina lying there. I was relieved because my wife and child were still with me, but I blamed myself for this happening to them.

"I should have been with you…I am sorry Mina…"

"Do not…blame yourself…my love…" I jerked my head up and looked into Mina's eyes. She was fighting to stay awake I could tell as her eyes would slide closed before she would crack them open again. Mina brushed her hand against my cheek and I leaned into her touch closing my eyes.

"Mama!" I turned as Kyou and Ryou yelled as they ran up to Mina's bed. Itachi stopped them before they could jump onto it. Mina glared at her brother even in the state she was currently in.

"Oh come on Mina don't be like that. You could have died today." Itachi said taking a seat on the other side of Mina. Kyou jumped up into his lap while Ryou came and sat next to me.

"Not until you apologize. Not to me either!" Mina rasped out. Itachi sighed and nodded his head submitting to his sister's demand. He faced me and I could tell that he really didn't want to be doing this. It made two of us. I had not cared that Itachi had punched me, but Mina had taken great offence to it.

"Shino I apologize for my wrong actions against you." I nodded my head accepting the unneeded apology. Mina seemed to buy it and stopped glaring Itachi's way. She relaxed back into the bed and soon fell asleep.

[Mina's P.O.V]

I awoke to a door being slammed open. I jerked up in my bed and greatly regretted doing so as pain ripped through me. I hissed and fell back on the bed. Kyou and Ryou had woken up from their spots next to me and looked alarmed.

"Mina are you alright! I came as soon as I could. Gaara came to!" Naruto yelled at me while dragging Gaara halfway behind him as he made his way to my bed side. Shino walked in a few minutes later with Shibi. They had paperwork and coffee in hand.

Shino sighed and walked over to Naruto smacking him upside the head. Naruto glared at my husband as Shino sat down ignoring Naruto's glare. Gaara sighed and took a seat at the foot of my bed. Naruto took a seat on the other side of my bed across from Shino.

"I am feeling like someone stabbed me through my stomach." I said blandly. Naruto looked guilty and looked to my slightly swollen stomach.

"How's he doing in there?" I blinked. He? The sex of the baby had yet to be determined.

"The baby is fine. And we do not know the sex yet so it could very well be a girl. " Shino said after taking a drink of his coffee. Naruto glared over at him and Shino ignored him and read over the paperwork Shibi handed him.

"well my bets on it being a boy!" Naruto said loudly.

"That means it will most likely be a girl then." Gaara said while watching the baby's heart monitor. Naruto glared at his boyfriend and I laughed softly. Kyou and Ryou looked at each other then down at my pregnant belly.

"Mama I want a little sister!" Kyou said while looking up at me like I could make it happen.

"Yeah me two!" Ryou chimed in after his brother. They both looked up at me like I had a choice to choose if the baby came out a boy or a girl. I laughed softly and patted their heads.

"I don't have control over that sweethearts." They pouted but then decided that it didn't matter. If they got a little brother instead of a little sister then they would love him all the same. I smiled and watched them leave with Shibi.

A month passed by and I was released from the hospital on strict orders from Tsunade. I was to not go off on my own even though Sasuke was dead. I had agreed to it just to get out of the hospital faster. I looked up at the graying sky with sadness. Today was the day that we buried Sasuke. It also happened to be the anniversary of the massacre.

We all gathered in the graveyard as the rain started to pour down on us. Shino shielded me from the rain with an umbrella as we watched Sasuke's coffin be lowered into the ground. The service was short and everyone placed flowers in front of a picture of Sasuke.

When it came to my turn I took the umbrella and walked up. I placed the flower down on top of all the others and stared at my twin's picture. My heart ached and I couldn't help the tears that came. He was really gone. My twin was gone from this world. I closed my eyes and started to sing once I felt Itachi touch my shoulder.

(Mina and Itachi both sing the cover of the song Far Away. Cover done by Julia Sheer)

Itachi and I stood together our tears falling to the ground. Eventually I took my place back at Shino's side and Itachi stood on my other side. The service was finished out and everyone scattered to do their own thing. I walked over to the Uchiha memorial stone.

I couldn't bow because of my protruding stomach so I just stood there a moment. I ran my hand over the wet stone tracing names of family members long gone. I saw my brother joining them and then turning to wave goodbye to me. Tears fell onto the cool surface of the stone.

My twin had finally found peace and was with our family again. Someday I would join him and together we would be for all eternity. Shino would join us as well followed by all of our friends and other family members. It was just the way life was meant to be. The bonds you made in this life followed you into the next.

Shino came up behind me and put his wet arms around my swollen stomach. My fingers lingered over my parents names. Shino watched me intently as I stared at the stone in front of me.

"He's at peace finally. I can feel it in my heart." Shino nodded and led me away from the stone and back to the house. The boys were not told how their uncle had died nor how I had gotten injured. Someday they would know the truth but not today. They needed to remember their uncle in a kinder light.

A week passed and everything was slowly returning to normal. I was currently on my way to see Sakura. Itachi and Shino walked beside me as I walked on. Soon I was sitting in an exam room with Shino holding my hand and Itachi standing on my other side.

"Well the truth moment is here Mina." Sakura said as she stepped into the room. She smiled and went on to check everything out first. Then she laid me back and put her glowing hands on my stomach.

"Looks like your having a little girl Shino!" I smiled brightly and looked over at Shino. He was staring at my stomach. I watched the soft smile form on his face. Itachi was smiling beside me. I gasped as I felt a small pressure appear and disappear in my stomach. Shino and Itachi looked worried.

"Don't worry you two it was just the baby kicking. She'll start to move around more and more over the next four months." We all nodded and I felt the pressure again and grabbed Shino's hand placing it on my stomach. His eyes widened when the baby kicked under nether his hand. I grabbed Itachi's hand placing it on my stomach as well.

After the hospital visit the three of us wondered the streets. Everyone who saw us would smile kindly at me and I would wave at them. Anyone could tell that I was pregnant seeing as my stomach protruded far beyond normal for a girl my age. Sakura said that I was bigger then I should be but not to worry about it.

Suddenly someone came running out of an ally way and straight into Itachi. He stumbled backwards before falling clean off his feet. I looked down at him to see a young woman around his age on top of him. She had fire red hair and when she opened her eyes I could tell they were blue.

The woman scrambled off of Itachi and apologized while Shino helped my brother up. Itachi dusted himself off and told the woman that it was alright and he should have been paying attention. I guess retirement made his ninja senses rusty. I didn't dare say so though.

"What's your name? I've never seen you around before." I asked while eyeing the girl. She was small for her age, about my height and obviously skinnier then me seeing as she was not with child.

"Oh I'm not from around here…I come from the lightning country. My name is Ruka Yanto." She bowed her head to us. I smiled at her liking her already.

"Nice to meet you Yanto-san. I am Itachi Uchiha and this is my sister Mina and her husband Shino." Shino nodded his head towards the woman while I could neither bow nor nod as the sudden urge to pee hit me like a tidal wave. I grabbed Shino's hand and turned sharply towards the nearest shop.

"Uh sorry to ditch you two but I really have to pee." I said as I pulled Shino away and into a shop. The owner gladly let me use their bathroom seeing as I was pregnant. Once I was done we walked back out and saw Ruka and Itachi talking. We walked back over to them.

"I'm sorry for that." I apologized to the woman and she waved me off.

"May I ask when you are due?" I smiled and rubbed my swollen stomach lovingly.

"I'm due in the winter. Only four months away." Ruka smiled and nodded. She excused herself from our company and was on her way. I eyed my older brother as we walked. He turned and raised an eyebrow at me.

"You like you…Don't you?" Itachi laughed and I glared at him.

"Now who's the protective sibling Mina." I sputtered before crossing my arms and pouting. Both men chuckled at me. We reached the house and found everyone there waiting for the news on the baby.

"Well!?" Kiba and Naruto shouted as soon as we walked in. I grew tired of their pestering as I kicked of my shoes. I reached up and grabbed both men by their ears and led them to the couch. Kankuro quickly moved as I shoved them down. They whined and held their ears.

"Now stay there and be quiet!" I snapped at them and they turned pale as they nodded. Gaara and Hinata shook their heads sighing. Shino directed me into a chair and put my feet up on the coffee table. He left to go get me some water. Everyone waited until I was relaxed and less crabby.

"Alright Shino and I are having a girl." Kyou and Ryou jumped up and down cheering while Naruto pouted about being wrong. Everyone stayed for dinner which Hinata insisted on making. We all talked and laughed about various things.

Finally everyone left seeing as I was falling asleep while trying to hold a conversation. Shino carried me to bed even though I complained about being too fat to carry. The boys were already asleep in their room so Shino shut the door behind him and set me down on the bed.

Shino pulled me into him once he got into bed. He placed his hand on my stomach and rubbed it gently. The baby kicked at his hand and he chuckled softly. I smiled and drifted off to blissful sleep listening to Shino's soft voice telling me sweet nothings.