A/N: Back to the main story.

Disclaimer: Did anyone but me notice that I didn't put a disclaimer on the last chapter?

I've spent the last few days looking over my shoulder in fear of lawyers or people with summons jumping out from behind trees… my hands are shaking as I write this, but here goes. I DON'T OWN NARUTO!! If that wasn't good enough for you just ask, and I'll go stand on my roof and shout it to the world as I list all of Kishimoto-sama's virtues.


Understanding and Changes

During the sixth month of her pregnancy, Ino received a summons from the Hokage as the Yamanaka family was having breakfast one morning.

Inoichi grabbed the messenger by the collar, "She can't be serious. Tell her there is no way…"

"Dad," Ino's hand landed heavily on his arm, "Godaime-sama has summoned me. I have to go."

"No." He lowered the hapless messenger and glared at his daughter, "Your last mission was well over a month ago."

"Only because I haven't been summoned, the Hokage hasn't released me from active duty yet." The kunoichi's fierce expression easily matched her father's. "If it's my specialty, I want to go… if I'm able."

"You have to trust her judgment…both of their judgment;" Misao interrupted, "the Hokage's…and our daughter's."

"She'll give me a brief physical before she decides whether to send me out." Ino was trying to calm herself down. I know being agitated isn't good for either of us. She ran her the usual thought through her mind: Someone special at the end of this journey. She lightly moved her left hand along the swollen curve of her body. We've got to be focused if we want to be successful shinobi, that's a first lesson baby, remember it.

Inoichi finally released the messenger's collar, looking at her with his sadness showing in the creases around his eyes he said, "Very well, go."


When she walked up to the doors of the Hokage's office, she could hear the raised voices coming from within.

One was definitely Shikamaru, "There's no way you can possibly think that she could…"

Showtime, Ino smirked as she put her hand on the door to open it. As she stepped in she used her sweetest voice to say, "Yamanaka Ino reporting as requested. What is your wish, Godaime-sama?"

Chouji just stood there with his jaw hanging slack. This was not at all what he'd expected.

Shikamaru was even more shocked. Temari acted like she wanted to kill me this morning for daring to wake her up too soon. How can Ino possibly be so cheerful?

"Well, good morning to you too." Tsunade had a feeling that Ino must have heard her teammate's attempt to get her out of this and here she was announcing her willingness to go through with this in the most theatrical way possible. Thank you, drama queen; you nipped that argument in the bud. "So I take it you're willing to go on one more mission?"

"If I'm able," the blonde stood at the ready, "name your test."

The Hokage walked over to her. "First a quick examination, then I'll have you do something and follow up on your vitals again." She hands ran lightly over Ino's abdomen then the rest of her. "No problems so far." Tsunade turned toward the kunoichi's tense looking teammates. "So, how about one of you giving me a test for her?"

They regarded each other for a moment. Then Chouji said, "How about having her possess Shikamaru?"

"Fine with me." Ino waited for the Hokage's go ahead.

"Sit down first." Tsunade pointed at the chair next to her desk, "I don't feel like having to hold you up."

The blonde kunoichi took her seat.

"Please, embarrass me at will." Shika glanced at the ceiling with a sigh.

Ino's did the hand signs and her body slumped against the desk.

Shikamaru's hands started moving in the familiar pattern of the Kagemane no Jutsu. Head angled to the floor instead of upward, "Hey look at me! It's like I'm in a reverse spotlight!" The voice seemed perky…unnatural from those vocal cords.

Chouji gasped and Tsunade quickly noticed the reason. She had thought the hand signs were a joke but, around Shikamaru's feet, the shadow had become a near perfect circle and it was expanding.

"Okay Ino, that's enough."

The blue eyes at the desk blinked open a moment later. "So, did you like that?"

"That was a little more than I bargained for." The Hokage was already checking Ino's vitals out.

"Yeah Ino, when did you learn to take over Shikamaru's jutsu like that?" Chouji was looking at her with a strange mix of wonder and apprehension.

"I've been observing both of you for so long, I just wanted to give it a try." She blushed, "I mean that really wasn't a good use of it…but I didn't want to risk trying to grab you with it."

"Well, you check out as fine," Tsunade regarded the kunoichi, "but it was kind of risky trying out something new at a time like this."

"Sorry, Godaime-sama."

"It's all right, no harm done." She picked up a file from her desk, "Now let's get your mission briefing going."


Four days later, Chouji and Ino sat having lunch on the terraced patio of the inn they were staying at under the alias of Akiyama Koji and his wife Eiko. They'd used these aliases several times when they did the character assassinations.

"You should eat that," he said as Ino pushed something to the side of her plate, "it's particularly good nutrition-wise for the baby."

"But I really don't care for…" While she spoke, he picked it up with the reverse ends of his chopsticks and popped it in her mouth. She made a face but she gave it her best effort to chew. When she finally swallowed she said softly, "You're lucky I didn't choke on that or else you'd have two deaths on your conscience."

He lightly kissed her on the side of her forehead, "Remember, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger." He reached to squeeze her hand and tilted his head toward the restaurant across the street.

Stepping off the porch was the man they'd been waiting for: Itono Housuke. He was there with a very important person, the twenty year old son of the local Feudal Lord.

Chouji had previously positioned himself along side her to block any potential view of her hand signs from the terrace patrons. Ino had decided to use the Shinranshin no Jutsu on this mission, because she really was getting tired of all the extra attention she got when she 'fainted'.

Suddenly Housuke started to glance around, with a panicked expression on his face. He suddenly grabbed the shirt of his companion and started to shake him. "What do you want from me? What am I doing here?"

The guards assigned to the V.I.P. promptly grabbed him. As they started to pin him to the ground, Ino released him.

"Nice," Chouji whispered to her.

"Let's give it a moment," the blonde kunoichi replied.

A moment later the guards lifted a still confused (although for different reasons), but much subdued Housuke to his feet again.

"One more time," Ino said softly so only the burly man by her side could hear. Then her hands rushed through the signs again.

The target suddenly exploded in a rage. Violently twisting in the arms of those who restrained him, he also spouted off some very choice words. As the club was about to hit his head, Ino released him for the second time.

Ino turned her blue eyes to Chouji. "I'm tired," she said then promptly fainted against him.

"I…Eiko." He had almost panicked and said her real name. He tried to appear reasonably calm as people looked their way. Please be all right. He picked her up as gently as he could and carried her inside.

The woman in charge of the inn saw him and came right up to him. "We have a medic on duty, I'll send him to your room." She gestured and two of the girls who worked there came over. One was sent for the medic, the other along with 'Akiyama-san' to help him open the door so he could get his wife back to their room and set it up for her.

Chouji softly touched his lips his teammate's forehead while he held her. He whispered softly, "Please wake up." as he watched the girl set up the futon so he could rest Ino on it. He was fighting to keep his composure, but he almost didn't want to let go of her. He had just settled her in place and sat down anxiously by her side when the medic arrived.

Shikamaru had just gotten to their room after rushing down the hall after the owner had told him 'his sister' had collapsed. He watched as Chouji took Ino's hand, the fact that his friend had started to weep was not lost on him. He must be pretty worried about her. What did I miss? He slowly stepped into the room and was suddenly struck by the way Chouji was speaking to her.

"I don't know what I would do if something had happened to you, or the baby. I've never felt so helpless in my life."

Shikamaru sighed, Nice show he's putting on for the medic, I mean, he's saying things he never has the nerve to say when she's conscious. Bad timing Chouji, you really should say this stuff to her when she can hear you.

The middle aged man kneeled along side Ino and did a quick check of her vitals. Then he pulled out a small vial, opened it and waved it in front of Ino's nose. Her eyes blinked open.

Chouji knew he had to cue her just to be on the safe side, "Eiko, you had me so worried." He bent down to take her in his arms. Yes, it keeps up appearances for our false identities, but better still I get to keep her close. I don't want anything bad to happen to you, Ino.

Shikamaru walked the rest of the way over and touched the shoulder of the medic as he was finishing packing up his gear. "So is my sister all right?"

"Yes, she just seems to be exhausted. As far as you know, has she been getting a proper rest?" the man questioned him.

"Well I might not be the best one to ask." He scratched his chin, "I've been off on my own a lot while we're here." Yeah, just make myself look like an idiot.

"Then just make sure she takes it easy for the rest of the day and gets a good night's sleep. She should be fine in the morning." The man took one last look at the couple still seated on the floor. He chuckled, "I haven't seen a man act like that in years, he looks like he'd be totally lost without her. They must have been childhood sweethearts."

"Yeah, we've all been together since we were kids," Shikamaru smiled. Kinda one sided, but I suppose…

"Well, take care then." The medic smiled back. Then he headed out the door.

Shikamaru walked up to them. "So, he says you just need to rest today." He crouched down to take Ino's hand. "I guess that means you get to command us to do your every whim. Not that it's anything new for you."

Ino laughed gleefully.


They were still about a day away from Konoha when the weather turned exceptionally cold…almost cold enough for a rare snowfall. On top of it, Ino had been more sluggish since her fainting spell.

"Hey, can we stop for the night now?" she asked Shikamaru, "I feel like I'm freezing."

Chouji promptly came up beside her and took his cloak off and layered it over her own.

Ino grabbed the edges of it to overlap and hugged it more tightly around her.

"It won't take us too long to set up camp," Shika replied. "You just try to keep warm."

So for the first time in a long while they decided to use the tent. They were in relatively safe territory so a watch didn't seem necessary.

"I'm still cold, guys," she complained as they ate. "Are you sure the tent will be warm enough?"

"Let's see, we each have a cloak and bedroll." He glanced between Ino and Chouji, "sort of. The tent itself is designed for this kind of weather." Shika looked at her again, "What more do you think you need?"

"How about some shared warmth?"

"Like what, you want to keep my cloak tonight, too?" Chouji asked.

"You can be so dense sometimes." Shikamaru shook his head.

Ino leaned against him smirking. "Shika's right you know, sometimes you just don't get it. I mean sharing body heat as well as covers"

Chouji looked at her, the lump in his throat was pretty obvious as he swallowed. "I hope you mean this in the most innocent of ways."

She lightheartedly pressed her fist against the side of his head. "Of course I do, yes, fully clothed. Now you're deliberately playing the idiot."

"Really, I don't have a problem with it, Ino." He smiled back at her. "I'll do my best to keep both of you warm." He hugged her against his chest gently.


Ino curled up as close to Chouji as she could manage. He slept on his back but he had his arm under her with her shoulder against it. She kept readjusting her position eventually ending up with her belly pressed against his side so she maximized her contact and therefore best sharing of heat. An hour or so after that she had finally felt warm enough that she could sleep they were both awakened by a surprise.

"What's going on?" Chouji muttered as he felt a strange movement against his side.

"That is the baby," Ino replied. "I think it's trying to find a comfortable position too."

"So this is normal?" he asked but the concern was clearly coming through in his voice.

"I guess so, I just haven't felt this much movement before." She laughed, "It feels so weird like this."

"Will you two stop it? You're making me wonder what I'm missing at home," Shikamaru muttered.

"Poor boy, are you gonna sulk now?" Ino started to laugh, but then stopped, "Hey, you can knock it off now. You are so up past your bedtime." Nothing hurts, so yeah, I'm gonna just assume you're restless.

Now Chouji started to laugh. "This is one of the strangest ways to wind down a mission ever."


The Hokage was very pleased with the result of the latest mission. It never ceased to amaze her that these public disgraces paid as well as half the real assassinations that she sent some of her very best jonin off on; Konoha's coffers continued to do quite well from it. "I'm glad I sent you, I was this close to turning it down," she did the little pinch-like gesture. "Ino, let me give you one last check just to make sure every thing seems all right."

Ino came forward and Tsunade did a gentle check first of the baby then of Ino herself. She smiled and said "Looks like you're good to go. Tell your father I double checked you before I let you leave here. He gives me these intense looks whenever I see him while you're away. I think he doesn't trust my judgment."

"That's okay," Ino smiled, "I don't always trust his."

"So you have no problem with the idea of being off the active duty roster for a while?"

"Not at all, I've been the envy of my kunoichi peers. I think it will delight them to see me behave like a normal expectant mother." Ino looked over to Shikamaru, "I know Temari, in particular, will be thrilled."


It had been almost a year since Chouji had moved into the apartment that had previously been occupied by his late grandmother. His mother's older sister Chikako and her husband Kotaro had offered the apartment to him because they had no children of her own. He'd been a good tenant as far as they were concerned: quiet, responsible and very helpful. But as much as he liked having his own place, he missed having conversations with his father when he got home after missions.

He'd made arrangements to meet his father as soon as possible after this most recent one because he'd always been able to talk with his father about pretty much anything. In the past he'd talked to his father about having a crush. His intent had been to find out how to tell the difference between 'just a crush' and 'the real thing'. He'd been told instead that things aren't always as straight forward as one would like them to be.

As he walked to the place they were to meet, he reflected on some of their past discussions. When they'd had 'the father and son talk' years ago he learned two things beyond what normally gets talked about. One was the story of how his parents had gotten together; it was not at all what he would have expected. The other had been a something he hadn't even considered about the Bubun Baika no Jutsu and how if one simply let the nature of a variation of it slip you could attract potential mates just out of sheer curiosity…but that was only to be used as a last resort.

The strange thing was that it had worked in a way he hadn't anticipated. A few days later he had told Shikamaru about it and apparently Ino somehow overheard the conversation. Sure enough her curiosity got the best of her and she had invited him over for a dinner she cooked herself while her parents where away. Although he hadn't intended it to turn out that way, Ino was his first time, not that he minded that part. The problem was that he lost control of his jutsu and he'd been terrified he was going to hurt her. It was still one of his most confusing memories: wonderful and scary at the same time. Afterwards Ino had tried to be reassuring so he'd said something that came across as pure male ego figuring that's what she'd have expected him to say. He'd always wished he hadn't said it; he should have just been honest with her and told her about his crush.

No time for regrets now, time moves on, things change. He saw the restaurant up ahead where he was to meet his father for lunch. Good thing I just got paid for a mission. I love my dad but he always insists on splitting the bill 50/50 but his portion is usually closer to 67. Oh well, I suppose it's a small price to pay for all he gave me. He walked in and saw that Akimichi Choza had already seated serenely at a table. Chouji came over and sat across from him. The waitress came over immediately, knowing that not only did the Akimichi do large orders, they rewarded you well for prompt service.

As soon as she left, his father smiled his familiar contented smile. "So what did you need to tell me about your latest mission?"

Chouji hesitated for just a moment. Do I really want to open up about all this? He's always encouraged me; I suppose that is what I'm looking for here. "I think I finally understand the difference," he said it softly with almost no confidence.

His father's expression slid into the gentle patient expression he knew would wait for whatever he needed to say. An encouraging voice as caring as the face spoke, "And what difference would that be?"

"The difference between a crush and something deeper," he said it with something closer to self-confidence. "There are just a few things I need to work out beyond that."

"Oh," there was a curious amusement on Choza's face. He was obviously anticipating his son's next words. However the moment was interrupted by the arrival of the first part of their lunch.

Good, Chouji thought, this will give me a little more time to organize my thoughts. He knew the feelings he had for Ino were well beyond anything that could be called a crush. He knew when he'd made his New Year's resolution, it was her he was thinking about. He wanted to protect her, help her, and be there for her in any capacity she needed him for. He'd realized over time how he cared had evolved, and current her vulnerability had him more worried than ever. Not just for her but for himself; Was there a way he could become something more than just a friend when she was getting so close to having another man's child?

Strangely enough the thought of the child made him smile. Last night being cold had been, in his opinion, one of the best things that had happened in a long while. Up until then he'd felt like an outsider to the experience his teammates were having, but that moment when Ino's baby had moved so strongly and Shikamaru then had moped afterward…It made what Ino was going through so real, while also being some kind of guilty pleasure to be one up on his best friend.

When their level of consumption began to slow down Chouji picked up where he had left off. "My first dilemma is that I'm in love with a woman who is bearing the child of a man who she claims is completely out of her life."

"Are you sure Ino is the right one?" a soft chuckle came from his father.

"I'd do anything for her. She had me so scared on this mission, I don't know what I would do if…" He looked at his father, his eyes almost pleading for some magical solution to all his heartache.

"So all these years together and you can't tell her what's on your mind?" he smiled at his son.

"It's not that I have trouble speaking my mind around her. It's just that I can't fully express to her what's in my heart."

"As I've told you before there are no easy solutions when it comes to affairs of the heart." A serious furrow appeared on Choza's brow, "If you can't get the courage to tell her straight out, then all you can do is show her. Give it time, but be there for her, make it seem as natural for her to be by your side as it is to breathe. But don't be intrusive; let it become her choice as much as it is yours. Give her space when she needs it."

"So the key word is patience." It seemed like the pressure he'd been felling suddenly lifted.

"These things should never be forced or rushed."

"Thank you." Tomorrow, Chouji nodded, that's when it'll begin. I'll get her to see me in a new light.


The next 'mommy session' was meeting at the Toh's Diner for breakfast. Sakura and Hinata were congratulating Ino on her finally experiencing the 'off duty' roster.

"It's about time you started to learn the normal limitations the rest of us got stuck with," Sakura teased. "I swear you have had the most perfect pregnancy of anyone I've ever met."

"Oh please, I can't stand looking at myself in the morning," Ino sighed.

"That's just it, the only complaints you ever have are superficial. You only growl about your looks, you vain thing. You never even had morning sickness," the medic replied with a hint of jealousy in her eyes.

"Or swollen feet," added Hinata.

"Or lost your chakra control," was Sakura's next addition.

"Or been put on bed rest for a month," Hinata sighed. "That drove me positively crazy."

"Hey, I fainted after using my jutsu on this mission." Ino was very defensive at this point.

"So it was a real faint, not the one your body usually does when you use Shintenshin no jutsu?" Sakura raised an eyebrow curiously.

"I was doing the Shinranshin for a change."

"And you fainted right into Chouji's arms," Temari said softly as she came up to the table taking the last seat next to Sakura and picking up the menu. "Scaring him half to death from what Shikamaru tells me."

"I'm sure you husband exaggerates." Ino gave the Suna kunoichi a wary glance.

"And here I thought he tended to understate things." Temari snapped the menu shut, held it up and tactlessly called out, "Hey, I'm ready to order here."

Arika, the owner's niece came over to take their food orders as well as Temari's beverage order. Then brown haired waitress hurried off about her business.

For a while the conversation followed more general topics. They ate their breakfasts in relative peace.

Then it all changed, "So I heard you slept with him." Temari just said it. She didn't even direct the comment; it slid softly from her lips, as a sly smirk crossed her face.

Hinata gasped, "What…what are you saying?" She blushed looking horribly confused.

The oldest member of their group gazed at Ino with a very amused expression. "You snuggled right up against Chouji to keep warm…sharing your blankets."

"That was the last night when it was really cold. I think I was entitled to seek some warmth." There was a pause as she sipped her drink trying to hide the smile that was fighting to cross her lips. She finally gave up, "Actually, I think it turned out to be fun."

"What way would that be?" Sakura asked giving a gentle nod to encourage Ino to continue.

"It was actually kind of nice to be curled up in someone's arms again, even if it was just Chouji." She half laughed as she continued, "His reaction when baby moved was funny, He didn't know whether to be scared or excited…it was just too weird watching his expression. And then when Shikamaru did his pout…" She laughed even more.

"My husband doesn't pout," Temari interjected.

"Weren't you the one who used to tease him by calling him a crybaby?" Ino came back.

Temari looked surprised. "I…I…"

"You didn't think I'd find out about that? Well really, he told Chouji and so eventually it got back to me."

Temari shook her head, "You really do have a close knit team."

"Kind of like having brothers…I guess." Ino said.

"Maybe," Sakura supposed, but then again, not, I think. She had one of those expressions like she was reading too much into things again.


Over the next few months Ino and Temari got to spent a lot more time together, especially since Shikamaru was off on missions which seemed to be more often than Temari would have liked. Chouji was usually with Shika on these missions. So the two mommies did a moderate amount of their planning together. They even decided to work together to set up the nursery in the apartment Temari and Shikamaru currently were residing in.

Ino actually thought this was fun since she wasn't going to have the opportunity to do anything this elaborate at home. She was going to have to share her room with the baby. In the long run, she figured she was better off staying with her parents instead of getting a place of her own. Furthermore, her mother also thought it was the best arrangement since Ino would probably want to get back on duty as soon as possible after the birth and she would be the best default caretaker. Her father, of course, was still getting used to the idea that there was going to be a baby in the Yamanaka residence again.

Shikamaru's parents, on the other hand, seemed very excited for their son. They had developed a fondness for Temari in the few months she had been in Konoha. His mother, Yoshino, respected her daughter-in-law's strong will. His father, Shikaku, seemed strangely amused that his son had ended up in the same kind of situation that he always commented on him being in. He knew Shikamaru was heading down this path for years…it always seemed the more you spoke out against something… Oh well. If nothing else, he could say his son had found a pretty wife.


It was a typical Wednesday for Ino. Since she had been taken off the active duty roster, she allowed herself one day a week for indulging her sweet tooth. As always, she had gone to the cake shop for this afternoon treat with Chouji. They spent a lot of his off time together lately. It was just better if you had someone to hang out with and since Shikamaru spent his time with Temari when he wasn't out on missions, Chouji defaulted to spending his time with her. She was starting the eighth month of her pregnancy and was already bored beyond belief. In fact, she almost felt sorry for Temari who had been off duty so much longer than her.

Ino was still working on her slice of 'three-way chocolate decadence' as Chouji finished the last of his selections.

"I'll be back in a moment," he excused himself from their table.

As soon as he was gone, Wakana, the owner, came over to clear Chouji's plates. "So, are you two waiting until after the baby's born to get married?" she regarded Ino.

Ino flinched. "It's not his baby; I thought everyone knew that by now."

"That's not what I asked." The middle aged woman smiled. "I've seen a lot of things over the years, my dear, whether or not it's his doesn't matter. I can see the way he behaves with you, and you seem very much at ease in his company."

"He's my teammate and friend, so yeah, we get along." Ino frowned, she wasn't sure she liked where this conversation was going. "Maybe it's because his best friend is married and also having a child, he's sharing the experience vicariously through me."

"No really, he acts differently with you, if he came in on his own he would probably have ordered a piece of everything on the top shelf, instead of just three items." She looked at Ino with utmost seriousness. "You haven't noticed how attentive he is of you, it's like he'd do anything to make sure you're happy."

"As I said before he's my friend, of course he worries about me. Why do you insist on reading something more into it?" Ino was getting annoyed, What is with this woman? "As for his ordering only a few items, maybe he's saving up for something else, or he's short on cash today."

"Just try and see the way he watches you."

"You are such a busybody." Ino was getting totally flustered. She looked down briefly at her remaining cake, unsure if she wanted it anymore.

Chouji was suddenly walking back toward them. Wakana took away the empty plates.

"You all right?" Chouji looked at her, "You look a little flushed."

"I'm fine Chouji." She did everything in her power not to meet his eyes. Unfortunately, she looked at the counter instead and Wakana flashed her one of those 'I told you so.' smiles.

Ino sighed, "Here, do you want the rest of this?" she pushed the rest of her cake toward him. She thought about what the woman said as she regarded Chouji.

"Thank you," he said as he wasted no time popping it into his mouth.

That doesn't seem any different to me. She thought, He still takes far bigger bites than I ever would. She shook her head. "Ready to go?" she asked.

"Anywhere you want." He smiled at her, then stood, offering his hand to help her up.


"I'm not dead, I'm right here," Kankurou gasped as he sat bolt upright.

Baki regarded him with a bemused expression, well it was more like half a bemused expression, as always his face was partially veiled. He was sitting eating a breakfast ration bar as he sat on the cot in the quarters they were currently sharing during their stint at Outpost 4. They'd taken the duty to get away from the Kazekage for a while without looking like they were getting impatient for a real assignment. "I thought you were too old for nightmares. Is your sister's situation making you anxious?"

"I suppose you're going to want to know what I dreamed about." The puppet master's eyes narrowed.

"Sometimes that's the best way to clear your head."

Kankurou considered his options and finally decided to share. "I was in an area for what appeared to be a chuunin exam. The venue reminded me of the arena in Konohagakure. I watched a scene where a man of about eighteen years was confronting another shinobi, someone who seemed taller than he was. It felt like something was holding me back from interfering, like I had to know more what this was all about. The man yelled at the one he faced that they had no right to exist. I looked at his angry face and saw a face that reminded me of my own framed with hair the color of honey. I realized at this point it was a kunoichi he was confronting; she seemed almost unable to get the word out, 'St-st-stop-p'. She seemed almost exhausted. He yelled at her, 'Your family cost me my own.' That was when I realized he was my son…and that's when I woke up saying what you heard." He looked at his friend with a hint of curiosity.

"You trying to read something more into that? I've heard of prophetic dreams, but I can't picture you being someone who would have them. You rely too much on your training and everything you know." The older man shook his head, "If I'm guessing correctly, I'll bet this has a lot more to do with you being restless for word from Temari than anything else. There's only about a month to go, so that's got to be in the back of your mind whether you believe it or not."

A relieved expression took over the puppet master's features. "You're probably right. We'll be back in Suna before the big event and I certainly don't have to worry about my sister's well being…not with all those healers."


Throughout her pregnancy Ino had talked to Sakura about pretty much everything becoming a parent entailed. She'd even gotten permission to have her baby at home with a midwife and Sakura there. Sakura had introduced her to Emiko, the woman who'd delivered her children. Everything looked like it was going very well. Since she was less than a month away from her estimated due date she met up with Sakura at the medical center.

"Do you think it would be possible, while I'm here, to find out if the baby will be a boy or girl? When I had my earlier sonogram, I asked not to be told," she told her friend, "I'm giving up on the idea of letting it be a surprise. I think it would be one less stress in my life if I knew."

"I don't see why not." Sakura replied as she guided Ino through the halls to the examination rooms. "Are you absolutely sure you don't want it to be a surprised?"

"Positive."

"Very well then, let's check if it was noted in your records. If not, we can see if the equipment is free for our use." Sakura took her back…


A/N: So many paths so little time...

I decided to move this to the end of the chapter:

Thanks to: Awaii, shannny2k, shelvesinthecloset, & Shubaltz Crazist for their reviews… and therefore their encouragement of me. Happy!!