Only four more reviews until the big 100 :) That's so amazing! I never ever thought this story would get this far, never. But I'm glad it did and I'm glad I have an amazing reviewer team! You guys are so amazing :) Thank you for the 10 reviews for the previous chapter :) Now this chapter is an okay chapter but I do hope you enjoy, it has an interesting title doesn't it? Doesn't that pique your interest? Well I hope it does :) Sorry I haven't been able to reply personally to reviews but I don't have much internet time so I'd rather post the chapter than write review replies (But I do enjoy doing them) So without further ramblings here's the next chapter!

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Naruto characters/places used in this story!

Chapter 9 – Can you pretend to be my boyfriend?

"So when's your next check-up Sakura-chan?" Naruto questioned, idly fingering a strand of her rosette locks.

'Saturday, almost two months since I found Sakura-chan's secret,' he thought, watching as the pink lock shimmered in the sunlight. 'What does she use on her hair?"

"Today actually," she replied, grinning. 'These past two months, he's become comfortable about asking about the baby,' she thought, sighing in contentment. 'I'm glad. It makes me feel that someone is looking after me.'

"What time?" he queried. 'Maybe I can offer to drive her since baa-chan is working today.'

"Twelve," she paused, glancing at her watch. "In half an hour, meaning that I should leave soon if I want to get there on time."

"Wait, Sakura-chan," Naruto began, clasping her wrist within his grasp. "Could I come with? I could drive us there."

She sighed, "You can drive?"

"Got my license shortly before you came, 'tebayo," he replied, grinning. "My mom and dad took the same car to the mall so we can take my dad's car."

"Sure, just give me a few minutes to get ready," she said softly, releasing her wrist and entering the house.

----

The drive to Konoha Hospital was not long, yet if there was silence, it tended to feel as if it took an eternity. This was the exact feeling that flowed through both Sakura and Naruto as they wordlessly drove forward.

'I can't ask him to do it. That we be wrong. I mean, he doesn't have a reason to say yes, even if he did, he has a girlfriend. What if we were to run into Hinata at the hospital for some unknown reason? Ah this isn't helping,' Sakura mentally groaned, her mind in conflict.

'But I don't want to do this alone, I don't want people to think wrongly of me,' she continued, silently gazing out the window. 'Hmm, maybe I should just ask. I mean we are friends, hell even best friends. Maybe Naruto won't mind.'

Her expression changed to one of determination. 'Yes, I will ask him. I will ask him to pretend to be my boyfriend for this visit!'

"Um, Naruto?" she began, somewhat stammering.

"Yes Sakura-chan?" he questioned, briefly turning his attention toward her.

"I was going to ask you this before but the time wasn't right," she continued, blush staining her cheeks.

"What time?"

"CanYouPretendToBeMyBoyfriend?"

"What?" Naruto bluntly stated, obvious confusion etched in his expression. "Can you say that again Sakura-chan? I couldn't hear anything dattebayo."

Sakura sighed softly, "I wanted to ask if you can pretend to be my boyfriend while we're at the hospital."

Naruto's eyes widened, "Why would you want me to do that?"

"Because," she remarked, "I don't want to walk in there without someone at my side for this. I don't want them to think I'm a pregnant loner whose boyfriend dumped as soon as he found out his girlfriend was pregnant."

"Oh," was all Naruto could muster. "But why me?"

"You're the only boy that knows about my pregnancy," she whispered. "Besides, I trust you."

'She's asking so nicely,' he thought, 'Besides, she has good reason.'

With a gentle sigh he turned to her, "Of course I will Sakura-chan."

Sakura's lips slowly stretched into a timid smile, "Thank you Naruto."

"It's a pleasure, dattebayo."

----

"Thanks again Naruto," Sakura gratefully stated as they reached the hospital. With some effort she pushed herself out the car, finding that Naruto was already at her side. "What boyfriend wouldn't help their girl out the car?"

She rolled her eyes, "I guess so."

Naruto locked the car with a flick of his finger on the keys and proceeded to walk next to her, tenderly taking her hand.

Sakura turned to him, in shock and embarrassment. "Naruto?"

"We have to pretend right?" he questioned.

She nodded, blush deepening. 'Just please don't kiss me in front of anyone, wait, don't even kiss me. Don't even think of kissing me.'

"Which boyfriend and girlfriend don't hold hands?"

"I guess," she mused. 'Sasuke and I didn't always,' she thought, bitterly as she lowered her gaze, ignoring the sensation her body felt from Naruto's contact.

'Stop it. This is only pretend and he has a girlfriend, you can't feel like this. Besides Naruto is only a friend, only a friend,' she reprimanded herself, 'You can't do this, Sakura. No crushing on your best friend. Remember? No more boyfriends means no more heartbreak.'

They stepped into the hospital, earning cautious glances from those around, and walked up to the reception desk. "I'm… eh… we're here for my appointment, Sakura Haruno."

The lady smiled sweetly before checking her list, "Ah yes, Dr. Shizune is ready for you so please report to room 120, would you?"

Sakura nodded, "Of course, c'mon Naruto."

"Isn't this the hospital where baa-chan works?" Naruto queried once they were in the hallway.

"Hmm, I think so," Sakura replied. 'Oh freak, Tsunade can't see us here, which would be bad, very bad.' She trembled, 'We have to do this without Tsunade seeing us.'

They reached room 120, finding that the door was closed. Softly, Naruto knocked, hearing no response.

"You don't think she's busy do you?" Sakura asked, frowning. "Put your ear by the door, maybe we can hear something."

Naruto obeyed, finding that there were two voices inside the room. He frowned, trying to listen in on the conversation.

"I've told you before Genma, no."

"But Shizune, work has lightened up and we have been married for a year now."

"I'd have to take leave, you know Tsunade-sama wouldn't like that."

"She wouldn't mind, you know that she would give you her blessing."

"But I, you know I'm scared of the risks. Can't we have this discussion some other time?"

"You know I'm here for you, Shizune."

"I know Genma but can you please be patient about this?"

"Ah, I guess I'll have to be."

"Thank you, but now you have to go."

"Why?"

"Tsunade-sama's niece is here for a check-up that should have begun five minutes ago."

"Yes, yes, I'll see you later then?"

"Ah, later."

Naruto quickly removed himself from the door upon hearing approaching footsteps. Moments later, the door was opened, revealing a somewhat frustrated looking man.

Sakura blushed, 'He's cute, with his copper-ish brown locks and hazelnut eyes and all. The bandana and senbon just make him even hotter,' her blush deepened at the momentary attraction and she quickly hid her head.

Quickly, a black haired woman appeared behind him, "Sorry about keeping you waiting Sakura-san. I had some issues to sort out. But please step in."

Sakura and Naruto responded as the man stepped away, muttering something inaudible.

"Welcome, my name is Dr. Shizune Shiranui, Tsunade-sama's assistant," she politely said, motioning for Sakura to sit upon the bed.

She complied, "Now Sakura, Tsunade-sama told me you haven't had a check-up before have you?" She shook her head,

"Well don't worry, you look like you have good support," Shizune replied, glancing briefly at Naruto and causing both teens to blush.

"Now, shall we start?"

----

'Is that my baby?' Sakura questioned as she looked at the ultrasound's screen. 'There isn't much but I can make out its shape,' she thought fondly, tears welling. 'Its so beautiful.'

"You have a healthy looking baby Sakura-san," Shizune commented, "I can hear the heart pumping." She then turned to Naruto, smiling, "Would you like to hear?"

'But I'm not the father,' he thought desperately. He looked to Sakura, yet she was emotionless. With a trembling sigh he nodded. "Sure."

Slowly he took the hearing part of Shizune's stethoscope and placed it in his ear. 'What, I hear nothing,' he thought frowning.

"It's very soft, you have to listen carefully," Shizune stated, noting his expression.

He nodded and complied; find that he could indeed hear a faint sound. 'It really does sound like a heart beat, very faint, 'tebayo.'

Shizune's smile widened, 'He seems amazed, awed and shocked. It's very touching. Would Genma react in the same way?' She shook her head, short black bangs flying. 'I'll talk to him later.'

Naruto carefully handed back the stethoscope, shock evident on his face. "I heard it."

"Amazing isn't it?"

He nodded, "I can't believe it, there's actually something inside there," he said, pointing at Sakura's bare stomach.

"Of course there's something in there Naruto," Sakura scolded, crossing her arms. "Did you really have to hear before you believed?"

"Eh no Sakura-chan I… eh… dattebayo," he stammered, hardly making sense.

"You two will be good parents," Shizune interrupted, giggling softly. "Unfortunately, I've got another appointment to get to, but I'll see you again soon Sakura-san, Naruto-san?"

"Yes… the…n… nex..t t…ime," Sakura stammered as Shizune left, 'Did she just say we would be good parents?' She turned to Naruto, finding that he was as shocked as she was.

"I think we'd better go," he said, nervously shifting.

"I agree," with that Naruto took her hand and gently led her out the building.

----

Tsunade sighed deeply as she scoffed around the hallway. 'I'm damn tired, Jiraiya is coming in three days and I have no idea what to do with the man.'

'We left our relationship in a bad state, didn't we Jiraiya? How could we ever think of even trying to fix it?' With slow, cautious movements she turned the corner, feeling as her legs would buckle at any given moment.

'Wait,' she frowned, seeing a flash of pink and blonde hair dash in front of her. 'Was that Sakura and Naruto? Were they holding hands?' She quickly shook her head. 'No, no way, I'm imagining things.'

'I really need to get some rest, look at me, hallucinating.'

'Sakura and Naruto are only friends, just friends.'


Aw, Naruto heard little baby-chan's heartbeat! So sweet and there was some fluffyness, they did hold hands didn't they? Shizune did compliment them on what good parents they would be... So anyway I hope you don't mind the little GenmaShizune in there, it's another couple I love :) Oh and the JiraiyaTsunade :)

IMPORTANT!

Well since I have two more chapters left to pre-write I've noticed that there will be a few other pairings (But only in small amounts). I just want to know if these pairings will be fine with you guys:

There will be: GenmaShizune, JiraiyaTsunade, KibaHina, NejiTen, ObitoRin, KakaAnko and I think that is all... So just say if these are fine with you!

Lorelock