I do not own Naruto! Or any of the music in this fanfic! I will do my best to cite my music sources in the end of the chapters in the A/N! I do, however, own the OC's.
"Any luck with Uchiha?" I asked two and a half months later. I'd headed back to Konoha so as not to arouse suspicion, much to Kabuto and Orochimaru's chagrin. I grinned, recalling the argument I'd had with them.
"I'm telling you, this plan's perfect!" I argued. "I go back to Konoha to have the baby. Then, you attack in an attempt to get me and the baby back, and then I get exiled as a hero. Problem solved!"
"She makes a point. She and the baby would be safe, and neither would get in trouble for being a spy," Kabuto said awed.
"No, no, and no. give me one good reason," Orochimaru growled.
"Tsunade's in Konoha and said that she would help me in the childbirth," I argued, and he stared at me.
"Fine," he grumbled in defeat. My mind snapped to the present as someone walked in.
"Good afternoon, Tsunade-sama," Sakura said cheerfully, and I sighed.
I was a couple of weeks later in the pregnancy now than my mother had been when she'd had me, so I guessed I was doing good. The baby kept kicking and pushing up against my lungs. I would sometimes wake up at night unable to breathe, and bang on the table to get a panicked nurse or Sakura to rush to my aid. Naruto had been visiting often until Jiraiya took him on his training trip, and Ino hadn't let that grudge go from that mission to Tanzaku, even though I'd ended up saving her life.
"You never answered my question," I reminded the medics.
"No," Sakura sighed, as I wheezed when the baby kicked up against my lungs. "Here – oh, dear. It looks like the baby's getting a little overcrowded. Do you want us to perform a caesarean section?"
"No," I wheezed. "Not safe – I barely lived – born three months early – Ow…"
"Okay, just take this. It should help the baby settle down a little," Tsunade soothed as she put a glass of water to my lips with a large pill. I choked down the pill, and downed the entire glass. I looked at the clock – nine o'clock. Just about bedtime – so much for a Halloween baby.
"Thank you," I coughed. "Happy Halloween, Sakura-san, Tsunade-sama."
"No problem. Happy Halloween to you, too," they smiled gently.
"Ah! Tsunade-sama!" I panicked, feeling a slight pop.
"Easy, Sarah-san. Oh," Sakura realized, and her eyes widened.
"Alright, just keep your breathing even, Sarah. Everything's going to be fine. You and the baby will be just fine, I promise. I can assure you, I'll do my best for the both of you," Tsunade said gently.
"It's coming," I realized that I'd complained to myself too soon. "No – it's too early! Isn't there a way to stop it?"
"No time!" Sakura panicked, and I shook my head. "Just try to keep your breathing even."
"Ow…" I whined, and they gently helped me get my panties off. Luckily, they had insisted that I wear nothing but maternity dresses since I'd hit my third trimester.
I kept my eyes on a photo that Tsunade had brought of them as children – she'd meant for me to look at Jiraiya in it, but I instead looked at Orochimaru, picturing him at my side now. It eased the pain, until another labor pain would wash over me. I was vaguely aware of the two kunoichi putting on gloves to help me with the labor, and flinched as one began poking my stomach.
"Stop," I whined, cringing in pain and closing my eyes tightly. I could feel her helping my body in its preparations, and I went back to focusing on keeping my breathing even and picturing Orochimaru beside me.
"I need to do this to help you," Tsunade hissed as he helped my body some more, and I was to the point of wanting to writhe in pain.
"Ow! Ow! Ow!" I said banging my fist on the table beside me.
In desperation, I grabbed one of the medical tools, and began pushing it into the hard wood of the table, and it dug in cleanly. It helped me feel a little better, so neither cared much. Either that, or they were too focused on other parts of their duties than to focus on the furniture.
"Alright, Sarah-san, push," Sakura ordered, and I moved my head from side to side, biting down on my lower lip.
"Push!" Tsunade repeated, and I had no choice but to obey.
"I can't! It hurts!" I whined loudly as the pain increased tenfold.
"No! You can! You have to! The less you push, the longer it will take and the more danger you and the baby are in! Now push!" she ordered, and I couldn't help but cry as I pushed as hard as I could.
"Mmnnngh!" I whined through biting my lip.
"That's it," she soothed. "You're doing great. Alright, each time I tell you to push, start pushing and count to three. Ready? Push!"
I held my breath as I pushed with everything I had. This was excruciating – more so than anything else I'd ever felt before. Not even Inoichi's mind tricks and tortures were this bad, and that was saying something. We would end up repeating this process for a couple more hours. I felt like I was dying.
"Push!" she ordered again at about eleven o'clock, and I obeyed.
"No…Wait," I gasped as another labor pain washed over me. I was tired, sweaty, and in a lot of pain for a prolonged period of time. Something wasn't quite right – I could feel it. I realized that I'd lost consciousness for a few seconds while I caught my breath.
"No waiting," Sakura breathed gently, her voice cracking with nausea. "Just a little further. You're almost done. I can see the top of the head. Now, push! Push! Push!"
I pushed a few more times, getting more and more wore out with each time. I stopped to catch a breather, and pushed one final time with everything I had, crying out in pain.
"AAAAAH!" I yelled at the top of my lungs, my body a mass of intense pain.
"Waaah!" I heard from near Tsunade, and I gasped in pain as I realized that I'd done it and survived.
"Well done, Sarah! It's alright, he's alright," Tsunade soothed as she began rubbing him gently. "He's perfectly healthy. I just need to clean him up and circumcise him, then he's all yours, I can assure you."
"It's not every day a kunoichi bears a child to one of the three Sannin – actually, I think you're the first. Isn't she?" Sakura said shocked, and I looked over to find Tsunade nodding.
"Indeed, she is," Tsunade chuckled. "Orochimaru's probably going to be furious that we've got his son and its mother. Sakura, stay here and help her with the baby and paperwork. I'm going to go get the ANBU on high alert."
"So…cute…" I gasped as Sakura placed my newborn on my lower chest, and I paid no heed to what the medic did after that point. "Akuma. You little devil," I crooned to my newborn. I heard the door open, and looked up to find Tsunade gone.
"Orochimaru-sama, it's a boy," Kabuto told Orochimaru a few days later. "They're fine. She's exhausted, but she accidentally opened five of the inner gates during the labor. She'll likely be exhausted for a few more days. Should we attack yet?"
"No," Orochimaru said firmly. "We'll need to wait until the baby is strong enough to travel, but not so long as to let Konoha recover."
"Of course, sir. Sarah-sama's likely to be loopy for a while, and I'm not exactly sure if she's named him yet… they've circumcised him already, and sealed off both ends of the umbilical cord," Kabuto reported as he walked into a lab behind Orochimaru, who had donned medical gloves. "If I'm correct, her body's already begun healing itself at an alarming rate."
"How interesting," Orochimaru chuckled, pulling out his own obsidian mirror that he'd made as a sister of my gold one. "Akuma – that's the perfect name for my first child. Well chosen, Sarah-chan. Rest well, pet – you deserve it."
"We were lucky – it's eleven fifty, just barely a Halloween baby," Iruka laughed as he stared at the now-week old Akuma. "How do you feel?"
"Tired," I replied, still out of breath as I tried to sit up. "Ow…ow…"
"Here," Kurenai said as she lifted me up to let Akuma nurse. "Hm…Akuma would be a name Orochimaru chose, not you."
"That's what I was calling him," I chuckled, and felt sleep begin to overtake me. "Iruka-san…Kurenai-Sensei… stay…"
"I will," they promised, and she began braiding my hair as I fell asleep.
I looked around, once again looking at the world that I'd left for my life as a ninja and now a mother. I wouldn't have had it any other way. I looked around to who I wanted to tell first. Kena was at her desk, so I raced behind her and opened a new tab in her internet browser. She, Shay and Hotspur knew the routine by now, so she let me type.
A boy. We're safe & healthy, as far as our medics know. I'm worn out. He's so amazing. 1K% worth every bit of waiting and pain. His name is Akuma. Sarah/Renate PS. Pass it on to the others. (^.^)
"oh my… I will, Renate-chan. Congrats," Kena whispered, and I couldn't help but race off to tell someone else. I knew she'd pass it on to Shay, Hotspur, Caitlyn (the librarian), and Anime Club.
I raced off and borrowed Joe's phone to text Sam the good news. Two brothers with one stone was the perfect idea. I knew they'd pass it on to the rest of the clan, so I raced off to tell Carl. Alas, he was in the middle of Keyboarding Applications class. I began typing in lightning speed, scaring the crap out of the teacher. The teacher and him stared at the flying keys, and the teacher read the note in confusion as Carl's eyes widened. He erased the message, but surprised me with a soft smile. I knew I had nobody else to contact, until I realized with a jolt that I had no way of letting my favorite teachers know. I raced onto my high school email and emailed my old teachers and classmate friends the good news.
I was still excited beyond belief at how healthy Akuma was. I raced back to my body in an attempt to wake up, but with no such luck. I looked around in my head, and realized that the cage that was once filled with a large snake was now empty.
"Well, looks like you really are a devil, Akuma-chan," I said gently. I felt a gentle tugging on my chest, and forced myself to wake up.
"Good morning," Kurenai said gently as she held Akuma up to me so that my child could nurse. "He's premature, but his bill of health is clean. His lungs were a little underdeveloped, but Tsunade-sama healed that very quickly."
"I didn't teach you how to open the inner gates, did I?" Guy asked worried from behind her, and I shook my head.
"No, why?" I asked confused. The four Jonin and Sakura looked at each other, their faces saying everything. "I…opened them in childbirth?"
"Yes, that's what Sakura was saying," Kakashi confirmed. "She was terrified – but, your eight inner gates aren't as strong as Lee's – not yet, anyways. Your chakra is much stronger, but his taijutsu was better."
"Besides that, your body used the eight inner gates to protect itself and ensure its – and Akuma's – safety," Asuma continued, cutting him off. "And it was completely accidental. I'm sure you'll figure it out eventually."
"Thanks, guys," I said sheepishly. "Am I in trouble or something? There's always been at least two ninjas in here since Akuma was born."
"No, Tsunade-sama wants you to be safe. It's just a precautionary measure," Kakashi said before poofing away.
"I'll be staying with you," Kurenai soothed, and the other two jonin left. "Hinata's coming by as well to keep you company."
A soft knock came at the door.
"Speak of the devil," I chuckled. "Come in."
"Ah, C-congratulations, S-Sarah-chan," Hinata said softly as Tenten, Kiba, Shino, and Lee followed her in.
"Yeah, congrats," Kiba repeated, and Akamaru yipped. "A Halloween baby, huh? I'll bet Orochimaru's loving that, the bastard."
"He doesn't even know the baby's born yet, I don't think," I said shaking my head. "But, he does know about my being pregnant. He tried to kidnap me a few months ago while I was in Kirigakure. That' s why I came back here. Speaking of which, where's Naruto-san?"
"He's off training with Jiraiya-sama. Smart thinking," Tenten laughed, and Neji raced in.
"Guys, we're under attack! Orochimaru!" he yelled in earnest, and the other genin all raced out.
"Go, I've escaped him while pregnant, I can escape with a child," I ordered Kurenai, and she shook her head. I could both see and hear the explosions from across the village, and giant snakes were once again attacking the walls.
"Arrogant bastard," Kurenai muttered. "He may have attacked once, but he won't destroy us this time."
"Kurenai, out. Sarah, get Akuma ready. Orochimaru's pissed off – he's agreed to halt his attack on Konoha in exchange for the two of you," Ibiki ordered as he and Anko raced in, and Kurenai nodded and raced out to join Asuma.
"He won't get very far – your bastard child will be dead before you reach the gates," Anko growled, and I steeled myself for a fight.
"Kuchiyose no Jutsu! Phantasm!" I yelled, and my beloved Zoroark appeared.
!
"Translation: Bug off," I said simply, staring at him as he transformed into a perfect copy of Orochimaru.
GGGRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!
"Get away from my son, or I'll let him do it," I threatened, and Anko backed off. I could hear the jonin and chunin panicking outside, and Anko raced out to join them. I stared at Ibiki, not sure of what to do.
Ibiki raced off to join the battle front, leaving me alone with Akuma. Suddenly, my strength failed me, and I felt my legs cave in. I moved myself back onto the bed, tired, and sat and watched the destruction around me. I pulled my mirror out of a sealing scroll I'd had, and sent a snake to lock the door.
"Show me Orochimaru," I whispered, and it began to glow purple before showing me Tsunade's office. They were arguing fiercely, and my and Sasuke's names came up. Tsunade wanted Sasuke back and to stop the attack on Konoha, but Orochimaru wanted me and Akuma.
I gathered up Akuma, resealed the mirror, and changed into my ninja gear. I bolted out of the hospital window, leaping from rooftop to rooftop towards the Hokage tower. Leaf and Sound both saw me as an ally, so neither attacked me. I leapt onto the awning, out of breath, and stared at the two Sannin as Orochimaru stared at me and Akuma.
"Why not make a compromise?" I panted, and Tsunade wheeled around. "Sasuke come back to leaf about – oh, a month and a half – after Naruto gets back. Then both of you get what you want. As for the attack on Konoha – it's about me, isn't it?"
"I hate to say this, but she makes a point. You're right, Sarah. He wants you and Akuma. Compromise is a compromise. We hand over Sarah and Akuma, and in exchange, you stop attacking Konoha and give Sasuke back two months after Naruto gets back from his training trip with Jiraiya," Tsunade bargained.
"Sasuke-kun came to me on his own accord," Orochimaru countered. "I will stop my attack on Konoha in exchange for Sarah and Akuma. Sasuke-kun is a completely separate matter. Five forbidden jutsu and you'll get him back at the requested time."
"No dice!" Tsunade yelled angrily. "No jutsu will be traded to you, you bastard snake!"
"Fine, then I want a medic – that you've personally trained – in exchange for Sasuke-kun," Orochimaru purred. Tsunade froze, weighing her options.
"On the one hand, I can let you keep the Sharingan. On the other, I can give you an invaluable tool. Damn you," Tsunade yelled angrily. "Fine! I'll train a medic and you'll give me back Sasuke two months after Naruto gets back from training with Jiraiya!"
"Pleasure doing business with you," Orochimaru purred, and Tsunade started growling angrily.
"Get out of my village," she growled. "Before I change my mind."
"Sarah, we're leaving," Orochimaru said, and I nodded. I followed halfway through the office and turned back to Tsunade.
"I'm willing to go with him if it keeps Konoha safe. Besides, I've still got a target on my back from those rogues who tried to kill my family. More so now that I've joined the Sound and had a kid!" I assured her, faking sorrow.
"Good luck," she whispered. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be," I told her as I left.
Orochimaru gave the signal flare for the retreat, and the otonin fled out from Konoha. All of the Konoha ninja gathered at the gates, and Tsunade held a hand up to stop them. She nodded, and Orochimaru put a hand menacingly on the back of my neck to lead me out back towards Oto.
"Orochimaru has agreed to stop his attacks in exchange for his child and its unwilling mother. She is to be known as a hero," I heard Tsunade begin to explain.
As soon as we were out of the sight of the village, I stopped my sorrowful act and perked up. Orochimaru smirked, performing the hand signs for our speed jutsu, and put his arms under me to carry me bridal style once more. We smiled and looked at our son snoozing peacefully in my arms. He woke up about halfway home and began crying loudly.
"Oops," I chuckled. "Looks like someone's hungry. He's not the only one, either. Do you mind if I feed him?"
"Why would I?" Orochimaru smirked, and I glared at him. "Something wrong, dearest?"
"I can't exactly nurse a child without covering," I said. Good snakes, did I really have to spell it out to him? "Don't you have a blanket or something I can use to cover up with?"
"Just a little further, pets," he murmured, and reached an unknown destination that looked eerily like a deserted clearing. "Here it is – one of our hideouts. Shiroga," he called, and the doors opened up into the ground.
"You never cease to amaze me," I told him, and he smiled.
"Ah! Orochimaru-sama – I," the otonin stopped cold, staring at Akuma wailing. "Can I help you, sir? Hot shower? Dinner? Experiment subject?"
"Dinner and a blanket, Shiroga," Orochimaru ordered, and the otonin veered off. "He's in charge of this hideout while I'm gone."
"Here's the blanket, sir," Shiroga said as he returned carrying a large, soft, dark purple blanket that was Orochimaru's favorite color. "I'll get started on dinner right away."
"Thanks," I said as Orochimaru used his tongue to put the blanket over me and Akuma so the latter could nurse.
He set me down gently on one of the chairs, and I leaned back so as to make it more comfortable for me. By this point, I was stiff and sore, and was almost missing Konoha and the friends I'd made there. I wondered vaguely if the Sannin trio would let me visit back. I noticed that Orochimaru's eyes never left me until Shiroga brought two large plates of food to the table.
"Is there anything else, Orochimaru-sama? Anything for the Madame?" Shiroga asked, and I glanced at Orochimaru, not used to being called something that wasn't my name.
"Not for me, no. Sarah?" he asked, and I stared at him. "I'll take that as a no for now."
"Orochimaru-sama, if I may be so bold… who is she, sir?" I heard Shiroga ask quietly.
"My wife," Orochimaru retorted, "And the mother of my child. Now leave."
"Of course, sir," Shiroga said bowing lowly, "My apologies and congratulations."
He ate in silence, and I stared at my food a while I would be eating with one hand and holding Akuma up with the other. Orochimaru noticed and summoned a large snake to hold him up to me so I could eat.
"Thanks, love," I said before beginning to wolf down my food. It was a simple plate of stir fry and eggs, but they were all soft enough so my stomach wouldn't get upset. Shiroga must have taken Akuma's tender age into account, I realized dimly. I felt a twinge of regret that I hadn't been able to tell Naruto or anyone else good-bye as I left Konoha, knowing that they'd have done the same act of kindness Shiroga had.
"Off to bed," Orochimaru chuckled. I stared at him in disbelief, Akuma and I not finished with our meals yet. "Once the two of you are done eating, you're going to bed. I can't have the mother of my child in bad health. I'll tend to his needs, pet."
"Yes, love," I said, feeling like he was acting like my dad.
*Name: Phantasm Species: Zoroark Level: 40 1st appeared in chapter 5 as a Zorua