RECAP: I'm a terrible person and it's been weeks since I updated and I'm really sorry, really really really sorry. This is the second to last one...
He had been to the sand all of two times but the Kazekage's building was sticking out like a sore thumb. While he was walking he wondered where Gaara lived when he was younger. The Kazekage's office seemed to be big enough for a few bedrooms. That seemed right, his father had been Kazekage. Finally he got there. No one seemed to stop him which was great. He was furious. Asking people where the Kazekage was. The main room. He barged in, they were going over their current economic issues.
"Naruto!...I said I'd be back really soon..."
"Yeah. In a note! How long have you been here Gaara?"
"...Three days."
"Oh really? As I remember it the note said you'd call when you got here."
"Naruto, you have to leave. This is a meeting for the Sand, go."
"No."
"Naruto we can do this later now get out!"
"Don't you yell at me!"
Gaara walked over to him and quietly told him again to leave.
"I'm not leaving. You can't do that!"
Gaara slapped him and immediately regretted it. Naruto didn't react. He reached for Gaara's hand and examined it. No ring. He looked up at Gaara who was blind sided. Naruto let go and didn't say anything else as he walked out and slammed the door. Gaara took his ring out of his pocket and put it back on. He rubbed his face and took his hat and robes off.
"Where are you going?"
"I'll be right back."
He left and saw Naruto at the end of the hallway. He ran to him and hugged him from behind and kissed his neck.
"...Gaara...why are you being like this all of the sudden, you're never like this."
"...Naruto I was just named Kazekage..."
"So that means you come here to sort things out and you leave your life at home? Why aren't you wearing your ring?"
"I am now. Naruto...think about it. The new Kazekage after 10 years, gay, married, living in a different land...and one who doesn't know shit about what he's doing..."
"But why are those even factors? Why does it matter that we're married?"
"It shouldn't but, Naruto it's not legal here."
"So what?"
"Technically when we are here our marriage isn't real...and I'd rather not have their constant ridicule."
"...Ridicule?"
"The people here have hated me since before I can remember. And they aren't exactly...gay friendly...they might not want me as Kazekage if they know...and I might want that...but I haven't decided yet. And I'm sorry about not telling you I was leaving...I didn't really know myself."
"...Don't slap me ever again."
"...Knee jerk."
"So they don't know?"
"I want to say something but...but I don't know what it would do for this whole kage thing but I'm not sure what I want it to do yet."
"...So if you do stay kage...do we have to live here?"
"I hope not. My life is in Konoha now. Don't worry I wont make you move."
"...I'm sorry I just fucked up that meeting."
"No, I'm grateful for that, they're talking about economic crap I don't care about."
Naruto smiled and kissed him. When he pulled away Gaara's eyes were still closed.
"...Gaara? You're acting like that was your first kiss."
"I missed you."
Naruto smiled and kissed him over and over again. Gaara stopped him after a while and put his forehead against Naruto's.
"Wanna see my room?"
"Hell yes."
Gaara giggled and took his hand and they ran down a series of halls to Gaara's old room. He'd put his stuff in there. It had all of his old things, pictures of his mother mainly. Gaara shut the door and jumped on his bed. Naruto followed his lead. He got on top of Gaara and kissed him multiple times. He was asking him questions in between the kisses he was giving him.
"Don't you have a meeting?"
"Mm. Fuck meetings."
"Gaara, you're a man of power now. Go back to the meeting."
"Mm."
"Your power is so hot."
Gaara giggled and Naruto paused his kisses.
"Go back to your meeting, I'll be here."
"Thanks, I'll be right back I swear."
"Don't act so gay."
"Ha, I love you."
"I love you too. Now go."
He got off of Gaara and laid down on his bed. Gaara went back to his meeting where Temari had gotten into a fight with one of the members. Gaara put his robe and hat back on as she fought them.
"I can leave this damn meeting whenever I want!"
"You have to stay we've already lost the damn kage!"
"I am so hungry you can't even imagine!"
"It's not my fault you're loose and got knocked up!"
"I am married you asshole!"
"Yeah, now!"
"I have been for way before this! And I swear if I don't get food right now I will eat you!"
Gaara sat back down and rubbed his face and they shut up. Temari waited for Gaara to say something but he didn't.
"Where did you go Master Gaara? Who was that man?"
"Master Gaara? Haven't heard that before."
"Well Sir?"
"Uh, friend I'm living with in Konoha."
"Why was he so upset?"
"I hardly think that's any of your business."
"Well sir you stormed out of my meeting for this friend of yours who came here alone from Konoha. This is not proper behavior for a Kazekage."
"You can't talk to me like that."
"Sir, you're still learning so...yes I can."
"Tell me something, how has Suna changed since I was last here?"
"...Nothing much has changed. A few new buildings maybe?"
"What about our open-mindedness."
"About what sir?"
"Let's say-what's something people are closed off to-how about homosexuality, what is our official stand-point on that. When I left I know it was illegal."
"Well sir, we have no homosexual citizens so we have never legalized it, in addition the public still generally frowns upon it."
"I can guarantee you we have homos."
"Sir, we don't."
"Yes we do. Enough with this economical crap, you guys have dealt with this before you can do it again. We're going to make everyone in this damn village comfortable with themselves."
"Sir, we really don't have any fags."
"...And no more slurs."
"Well what do you want us to do? Ignore the economy to legalize marriage that no one wants?"
"Legalize it and we'll just see how few people want it. I know this village and no one here is brave enough to be the first person to object."
"...Sir what about the sanctity of marriage, man and wife."
"Do you know how many heterosexual marriages end in divorce, far fewer than gay marriages. You can't help who you love, everyone should be able to show their partner how much they love them. It's a commitment that everyone should be allowed to make."
"Why are you so passionate about this?"
"Isn't it true that if say someone gets married in a village that has legalized gay marriage, their marriage is basically fake when they go somewhere like here?"
"Well yes."
"Then that right there is why I want this legalized. And I don't mean process it for a few months until I forget about it, I mean I want it done in the next few hours. What I say goes so write it, stamp it, sign it."
"Sir, it takes a long time to process a law."
"Not a local one, I'm not the idiot you think I am."
"We don't think you're an idiot."
"Ok, go legalize my damn law."
"What if the people don't want it?"
"They do."
"We have to get an opinion before we legalize something."
"Fine, do what you must but I want it through by the end of the day."
"It'll take at least a month."
"Well you better get started then."
They wrapped up their meeting and Gaara ran back to his room. Temari and Shikamaru had to go back, they had a check up to go to in a few days. Kankuro went with, Matsuri was still there. Gaara and Naruto said goodbye. No one asked about what had happened. Gaara was back on his bed with Naruto on top of him. Kissing his neck. Someone knocked on the door and they both immediately got off each other and the bed. The man came in as Gaara finished fixing himself up.
"Sir, you need to come with us for that opinion."
"How does that work exactly?"
"You interview an average citizen, male and female, from each economic class."
"I do?"
"Yes, you. Come with us."
"Can my friend come too, he's bored."
"Yes, there's no reason he shouldn't."
Gaara motioned for Naruto to join him. They were taken to an interviewing room. Gaara checked and made sure, no cameras, no type of surveillance, just a tape recorder. Naruto was spinning in his chair with his head back waiting for the first interviewee. She came in and bowed.
"No need for that. Sit."
"Yes sir."
"What's your position on gay marriage?"
"I'm all for it. Me and my...is this being recorded?"
"Just to prove that I'm not lying about your answers."
"Well...yes my answer is yes."
"Can you give me a more detailed answer."
Gaara leaned over the table slightly and looked intimidating without meaning to. She leaned back in her chair some more.
"Well?"
"...What kind of answer are you looking for?"
"Why do you think it's OK?...And why do you look so scared?"
"...You're scaring me."
Naruto put his hand on Gaara's shoulder and pulled him back. Without thinking Gaara put his hand on top of Naruto's and continued the conversation.
"So you were saying?"
"Oh you two are-I was saying that me and my girlfriend have been keeping this a secret for a really long time. We found this other gay couple, in public they pretend they're our boyfriends and it works out. But to be able to walk down the street holding her hand would be great."
"Well, we're only guaranteeing marriage, not acceptance."
"But with a gay-"
He could tell she was about to say Kazekage and motioned for her to stop and pointed to the tape recorder.
"W-with a gay-portion of citizen getting married hopefully it wont be such a taboo topic."
"...Thank you, very much."
"You're welcome."
Gaara stopped the tape recorder and breathed deeply as he rubbed his face.
"So the new Kazekage's gay."
"...Yeah, that's why I didn't want to come here and be Kazekage."
"Yeah, it's not to great being here right now."
"Plus I didn't like the thought that every time I'd come here to sort things out my marriage would become non-existant."
"Oh, you're married."
"Almost 11 years now."
"Wow, congratulations."
"I'm hoping I'll be able to do the same for you and your girlfriend."
"So you wont be here alot?"
"My life is back in Konoha with Naruto."
"So if you've been married for so long-"
"We want a surrogate but very very few women in our village are willing to be a surrogate, and willing to donate the egg...actually...we already did the whole mix the samples thing when we had this one woman who said she'd do it but she got remarried so...I wonder what happened to that sample...anyway we're trying to get kids but it's not easy."
"Oh, I wish I could help you out but I can't have kids."
"Aw, I'm sorry."
"It's OK, you know they bring me in here for a lot of these law thingies and the last Kage never strayed from the questions written down. Sometimes it wasn't even him it was some goon. This is new."
"My dad was never one for conversation...or any type of communication with his youngest son other than sending killers after him, including the only adult he could trust-"
Gaara's breathing got heavy and Naruto knew he was about to hyperventilate he squeezed his shoulders. Gaara put his elbows on the table and held his head in his hands.
"Gaara?"
"...Oh no..."
"What's wrong?"
"I think...I understand my bastard of a dad."
"Calm down. Don't justify what he did to you."
The interviewee interrupted.
"What'd he do?"
"Don't you know? He sealed a demon in me, it killed my mother. That's why everyone in this town hates me...my sand."
"What sand?"
"I used to wear a gourd of sand, it protected me from anything."
"Really? There's no way."
"It's true. Shukaku. Same thing happened to Naruto."
"...That's so sad."
"Well I think that's all the questions we had."
"...OK...sorry if I talked too long but...I can't talk to basically anyone about this."
"Oh no, don't be sorry. The only people that know here are my siblings and they just left."
"You'll be fine. So are you hoping for a girl or boy?"
"Either, just a baby."
"Have you thought about adoption?"
"Yeah we have since we're both Jinchuuriki but not too many pregnant people giving away babies."
"Sorry bout that."
"Well I mean we're only 26 so-"
"Wait so you got married when you were 16?"
"Mhm."
"Wow."
"Well it was nice talking to you, send the next one in."
She said goodbye and sent the next one in. Indifferent. The next one. More positive than negative but not too passionate, that described the rest of the interviewees. It'd be passed. Gaara was sick of interviewing people and he wanted to go home but he couldn't, not yet. The two of them walked back to Gaara's room. Gaara immediately laid down, tired.
"That wasn't that bad, and now our marriage'll be real here."
"I don't want to be Kazekage. I want to go home."
"You will soon."
"You don't have to stay here, you can go back, I can get you an escort."
"No I'll stay."
"Sure? It really sucks here."
"With you here it sucks less. You can show me around all the places you went as a kid and played and stuff."
"...Those don't exist."
Naruto sighed and laid down next to Gaara and kissed him. Gaara smiled at him.
"So what are you thinking about for this gay thing?"
"I don't know yet. What do you think?"
"I think you should just tell them but if you don't want to you shouldn't."
"God I love you."
Naruto smiled and kissed him as he rolled on top of him. Gaara started pulling up Naruto's shirt and he helped him get it off. He reached down and started taking Naruto's pants off. Once they were off Gaara took his shirt off and Naruto pulled his pants off. After lots of giggling and kissing Naruto was in Gaara and moving. Both moaning. A knock on the door. Gaara told Naruto not to stop and told the man at the door not to open it.
"Sir, we need your signature."
"Ugn...mm...um...oh...OK...I'll be-ugnn-right out."
"Is everything OK in there sir?"
"Just-gnu-peachy."
"Understood sir."
The man barged in and Gaara quickly covered them both with a blanket. Naruto laid down as flat as possible next to him.
"S-sir..."
"I said don't come in didn't I?"
"...But for your father...he told us if anyone uses 'fruity words' like peachy or hunky-dory we were to take that as a sign of distress because, in his words not mine, 'no one uses such gay phrases.' "
"...Are you freaking kidding me? Get out!"
"Y-yes sir...may I ask who that is sir?"
"NO!"
He ran out and shut the door behind him. Gaara sighed and closed his eyes, he had a worried look and was bright red. Naruto put his arm around him. He kissed his cheek and Gaara turned his head to look at him. Naruto smiled and Gaara kissed him.
"That was humiliating."
"It wasn't that bad."
"...Well...I gotta go sign that thing..."
"But we didn't finish. Or at least I didn't."
"...OK, but we have to be quick."
Naruto giggled and got back on top of him. He was supposed to be going fast but it felt so good when he went at an agonizingly slow pace. Gaara's eyes closed and he bit his lip to keep from screaming his name and revealing who was with him. Naruto leaned down and kissed him a few times. His pace increases as they got closer and they both came. Gaara's release was all over Naruto's chest but he was clean. Naruto kissed him and laid down on the bed panting. Gaara kissed his temple and got up and dressed. Naruto fell asleep as Gaara went to sign off.
"So sir...was that your wife?"
"No it wasn't."
"...Your mistress?"
"If I did have a wife do you really think I'd cheat on her?"
"I'm sorry, I'm used to your father."
"...My father cheated?"
"...He had a few mistresses yes..."
"...If that's all I think I'll be going."
"Sir, it would be a huge help to us if we knew the importance of that woman."
"That person is very important to me, we're married."
"So if we could see who it was it would help when we see them. To know how to treat them. As the Kazekage's wife."
"Not wife."
"...What?"
"Husband."
"You're a girl?"
"...No. He's my husband."
"Oh...well..."
"It's Naruto, the boy that burst in before."
"...OK...thank you."
Gaara walked off and back to his room where Naruto was sleeping with the lights out. Gaara got in next to him and wrapped his arms around him. Naruto got as close as he could.
"How'd it go?"
"They know. I told them."
"What'd they do?"
"Nothing. They're probably going to be treating you like the Kazekage's spouse now. Enjoy that."
"...Gaara...what if we never get kids?"
"We will. Soon. I can feel it. A boy maybe."
"Why a boy? What's wrong with a girl?"
"Either. Just a kid. There has to be someone willing to adopt in Konoha, right?"
"Yeah...but seriously what happened to that sample. That has both of us in it, what if someone is about to have our baby?"
"Don't get your hopes up...so how many kids?"
"As many as we can get."
Gaara giggled and kissed Naruto's neck.
"What time is it?"
"...Looks like...dinner time."
"Who do we eat with?"
"Ourselves. Sometimes military officials join to do more work. When I was a kid though, I never ate with the others."
"That's sad..."
"Not really. I didn't like my dad. Kankuro and Temari were still kinda scared of me but they'd still eat with me in my room."
"I hope our kids can't complain about us for anything."
"They have to. Otherwise we're not doing our jobs."
"...Gaara...if we have a girl...she...can't do what we did."
"What did we do?"
"Slept together on our first date. And many many times after that. Got married when we were 16. It's romantic with us but...our daughter will literally be a virgin for her whole life."
"You're gonna be one of those dads huh?"
"Aren't you?"
"...Yeah probably. But what if we get a son?"
"...Well...I guess I'll have to be just as strict so I don't look sexist."
"Ha. Come on, dinner."
They walked down to the enormous dining hall and we served dinner. No military officials just dinner. Perfect.
The next day Gaara could go home. He wasn't sure if it was Naruto or if they really didn't need more of his help. He really was just a figure head for any country planning to invade. He and Naruto packed up and got home a few days later. They collapsed on their bed. Dog tired from the non-sop traveling and sleepless nights on the way. They slept the rest of the day and the whole night. The next morning they got up and showered. While Naruto was still showering and Gaara was getting dressed the phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Gaara?"
"...Who's this?"
"It's...it's Ino..."
"INO! I haven't...I haven't spoken to you in...in...wow...almost what-two years?"
"Yeah...it's been awhile."
"So did you need something?"
"...Look...I've got something to tell you...I'll meet you two at Ichiraku's in like an hour ok?"
"Of course, of course. We'll see you then."
"...Don't mention it."
Gaara hung up. They got ready to meet Ino at the ramen shop. They were early and she was a little late. Finally she got there. Huge. Naruto and Gaara were doing their best not to stare as she came over to them.
"...Ino?"
"Shut up...look...uh..."
"Who's is it?"
"...Both of yours..."
"...What?"
"Yeah...uh...well see I thought if I had a baby I'd feel needed but...I don't want a baby. I looked up who's this was and as it turns out it's both of yours."
"...You're kidding..."
"Nope...not kidding...Sakura knew but she said I could tell you when I wanted...and someone told me you guys were looking for a surrogate...so...here I am."
"...So...you're pregnant with our baby...?"
"Yeah...basically. Turns out babies make you feel needed but you need a whole fuck ton of money."
"...So...you're giving it up?"
"I wont unless it's you guys. I haven't gone through this hell to just hand it off to any ol' couple...I think it might be a girl."
"You're just going to give us...really?"
"Oh my God! Yes really! Why would I drag you down here and tease you with the promises of an almost fully-cooked baby that's yours? This would be like the worst practical joke ever."
"...We're gonna be parents."
"If you want. Due in about two months. Sakura said it's likely to be a girl."
"...We're having a baby...in two months."
"Yep. Well...that's about it so...bye."
Gaara and Naruto both hugged Ino. She wasn't prepared for it but she dealt with it. She couldn't push them off. She didn't really want to. This was the most physical contact she'd had in a while. They finally let go, she abruptly left. Naruto and Gaara found the nearest payphone and called Sakura.
"Hey?"
"It's me."
"Naruto. Why doesn't my phone know this number?"
"Payphone. You know how Ino's pregnant?"
"...How'd you know?"
"She's giving us her baby that's how we know!"
"Aw, congrats you two. You better set up for a baby. They require a lot of crap just by the way."
"Tell Sasuke for us."
"...Yeah...everybody knows...we just couldn't tell you since she was considering keeping it...so...sorry...anyway I have a surgery so bye."
"Bye."
They then called Temari and Shikamaru. Temari picked up and she later told Shikamaru. Despite what Sakura had said these two seemed to be clueless about her baby. Shikamaru took that personally. Why hadn't Ino told him? He called Ino who agreed to meet him at her house. When he got there she had cleverly covered herself with blankets.
"I know you're pregnant."
"...Want water?"
He sighed and sat next to her. She looked down at her huge stomach and Shikamaru put his arm around her.
"Why didn't you tell me? I'm your best friend right?"
"...Look...I was about two months in. Finally had the courage to tell you...and you'd invited me to lunch. I thought it was perfect. Right when I was about to you said 'Temari's pregnant'. I thought about saying 'me too'...but...I mean...I don't want to be a burden."
"Burden? Ino, come on. What's the real reason?"
"...Shika...Temari...is...she's got your kid...I don't."
"Well yeah. She's my wife."
"...Exactly."
"...Ino...I thought we had an understanding. You'll always be my best friend. Cheer up."
"It's not fair. She's got it all..."
"Who?"
"Sakura...Temari...Kin...they all got pregnant and now they have loving fathers or husbands...like you. I don't...I hope this little girl'll be happy with the two of them..."
"Who's the father Ino?"
"...God I'm pathetic...I thought having a baby...would make me feel important...as it turns out I am not financially stable enough to take care of a baby right now...this is Gaara and Naruto's...I didn't know that when I got the thing done but...I wanted to give this baby back...and they've been looking for a surrogate...it's actually kind of lucky for them..."
"You don't need a baby to feel important."
"You don't know...anyway that's the story...
"...What'll you do after it's born?"
"...I'm leaving."
"You can't leave! My best friend is not allowed to leave the village."
"...I can't stay around this baby or I'll like steal it back."
"...I'll be here. For you. Don't worry about it ok?"
"...I love you..."
"Yeah...right."
"..."
"When are you due?"
"Two months..."
"And you just now told the adoptive parents?"
"...Is that bad?"
"Ha, Ino Ino Ino. Soon the happiest couple in Konoha is finally going to have a kid."
"I know. They'll be really good with it."
"They will be. You'd be a pretty great mother yourself."
"...Maybe some day...Oh! It kicked!"
Shikamaru felt Ino's stomach. He felt the baby kick. He smiled and Ino did a little too. Once she wasn't looking so depressed Shikamaru went back home to Temari and explained everything.
Naruto and Gaara started rearranging furniture. Had Deidara start sleeping on Sakura and Sasuke's couch. Itachi had moved back in with Kin. They folded up the guest bed. Sakura helped them with a crib and everything else. They had almost a month to go and could barely breathe most of the time, they were so excited. They spent most of their days with Ino. Finally she begged for her space. They were forced to go home.
"Naruto, we're finally gonna be parents and it'll be our baby. Like it'll look like us."
"I know. I can barely believe it...what do we name it?"
"...I never even...hmm..."
"After someone?"
"Sure...Ino?"
"...That might just make it harder for her...but maybe...we'll see what she's like...but in the meantime we need a back up."
"How about Kushina?"
"Wait, wait. What about your mom? I like Karura."
"This'd be easier if it was a boy. Minato and that's it."
"We might just name her Ino, or we could let Ino decide."
"Sounds good...alright...ugh...time to put the crib together again."
"It's your turn to try. I damn near lost a a finger."
"You big baby, you pinched the end of your finger."
"...It hurt."
Naruto helped some while Gaara tried to understand the instructions for crib assembly. It was pretty late when it was finally put together so they went straight to bed. The next day Temari had asked Shikamaru about Ino's plan to get to the hospital. He figured he should go ask, getting a little worried himself. Ino was never very organized. When he got there she was asleep with the TV on some travel channel. He shook her awake and turned the TV off.
"Hey."
"What's going on?"
"I was wondering what your plan for the hospital was."
"...I got one."
"So who's taking you to the hospital when you go into labor?"
"...Myself?"
"I'll take you...well...that...just happened-alright let's go."
"What?"
"Lie down. I'll be right back."
Shikamaru helped her lie down. He looked pretty calm on the outside but was falling apart on the inside. He ran to her phone and whispered to Temari.
"...She's in labor."
"Oh my God! I'll call Naruto and Gaara."
"Wait wait! What do I do? Do we go to the hospital?"
"Yes, go to the hospital. Call Sakura too."
"...Ok...I can do that."
"It's Ok to be nervous Shika."
"...I think I'm gonna pass out Tema..."
"Breathe. Just breathe."
"...I should get back to Ino."
"Tell her to breathe too ok?"
"...Yeah...I'll uh...I'll do that."
He hung up and Ino screamed.
"What the fuck just happened?"
"Calm down Shika. It's a contraction."
"...Mneh..."
"Ha, come on, let's get to the hospital."
"Yeah...yeah...the hospital..."
"Chill out, I'm the one having a baby."
Naruto and Gaara were at her door in seconds. She smiled at them and they almost passed out along with Shikamaru. She stood up and they helped her to the hospital. She lived relatively close. They got her a room and she was squeezing Gaara's hand as the contractions came. Naruto was in charge of icechips. The others had to wait outside. Sakura came in.
"Hello there. A little early aren't we Ino?"
"Shut up and get this demon out of me!"
"I know it hurts but it'll be over...well...not soon...but once this is over you wont remember how bad it was."
"How can I not remember this!"
"Trust me you wont. Let's see how dilated you are. Since you just went in to labor you wont have to push too hard so don't worry about that yet."
She checked. Ino had been in labor longer than she thought.
"...Ok...shit...Ino I know I just told you to not push just yet but it turns out you're farther along than I thought. Push."
She did. Gaara's hand was blue and Naruto was feeling light-headed. Two months ago they didn't even know if they'd ever get a kid and now she was being born. He ended up passing out. Sakura got 3 to come help him. He was back up before the shoulders were out. As soon as they were everything was much easier. Baby. Ino closed her eyes. Sakura hid her from Ino as the nurses took her away. Too early. She came too early. NICU. Sakura fixed Ino up. Naruto and Gaara stayed with her.
"...Sorry...sorry she's too early you guys."
"Don't be ridiculous. You did really good...my hand is probably broken but you did good."
"...Hurts like a bitch."
"Debatable."
Both Sakura and Ino glared at him until he admitted he was joking. Sakura left to check on the baby. She came back within a few minutes.
"How is she?"
"...Funny story...it's a he...whoops."
"Whoops?"
"Yeah sometimes those ultrasounds look like there's nothing there but...as it turns out you two have a baby boy."
"YES!"
"Oh. Well cool. Anyway he's doing good. He'll need to be in the NICU for awhile though, about a month."
"...But he's ok?"
"He will be. Don't worry."
Naruto leaned over and kissed Gaara. Ino had fallen asleep. Sakura couldn't even imagine giving up Naru. She let her sleep. Naruto and Gaara waited until she woke up.
"You guys are still here?"
"...Do you want us to go?"
"No I just...didn't think you'd stay."
"Well he's early but he's ok."
"He?"
"Oh yeah, as it turns out it was a boy...not a girl."
"Cool...well...when can I leave?"
"Soon I think. You feel ok right?"
"Yeah, I feel...damn tired but that's about it."
"...We were going to name her after you but...it's a boy."
"Sweet thought but you can name it whatever you want."
"...You can visit whenever you want."
"No. But thanks."
"..."
Sakura came back in with Ino's chart. A few more days and she was ready to be discharged. Naruto and Gaara had this over-whelming feeling of guilt. They didn't go and see their new baby until Ino was out of the hospital. Shikamaru made sure she rested enough. Knowing her she'd be trying to pack as soon as she got home. He wasn't going to just let her move away but maybe it was for the best.
Naruto and Gaara were finally ready to go see their baby. Sakura took them back. He had tubes here and there, feeding and hydrating him.
"He just needs to for lack of a better word-cook that last month."
"...He's so small."
"Yeah. But he's cute. Right now his name is Baby Boy. Do you two want to change that?"
"...Yeah...Minato."
"Alright. I will be right back. When I am you can hold him."
Naruto and Gaara couldn't even look away. Naruto found and held his hand.
"We've got a boy."
"...I can't believe we're parents."
"He's so cute."
"And small."
"...Wow..."
"...Yeah..."
Sakura came back.
"...What's wrong?"
"Huh?"
They hadn't noticed but their eyes were watering. They quickly wiped them and Sakura got Minato out of his little incubator. Gaara went first. He was so little.
"I'll leave you guys alone."
They couldn't stop looking at him. He was about the size of their forearms. Gaara handed him to Naruto. Sakura was outside waiting for them to get sick of holding him but it was about an hour and a half before she had to intervene.
"He's gotta go back on his machines. You can hold him again later."
She put him back in and hooked him up. Naruto and Gaara didn't leave. She didn't expect him to. Sasuke, Itachi and Deidara came up to the hospital after Temari had called him. They caught Sakura before she went back to her office.
"Oh hey. Where'd you all come from?"
"Temari called. Someone forgot to tell us that Ino had the baby."
"...Oh...whoops...they're in the NICU...I was just going to call you guys I swear."
"So boy or girl?"
"Boy, Minato. He's a month early and he's tiny."
"So does he have some kind of weird Chakra?"
"Hell yes! Freaked me out!"
"He is going to be the coolest nephew."
"Ha, I bet."
"How's Ino?"
"She's gonna travel I think..."
"...It's probably better that she doesn't stay around him...it must be hard to give up a baby..."
"Yeah...anyway you guys wanna see him?"
"...When he's better."
"Alright. Suit yourselves."
One month later they were allowed to take him home. They'd been practically living in the hospital for that very strenuous month but it was worth it. He wasn't sick. They couldn't have been happier. They had only spoken to Ino over the phone. It was better if she didn't see the baby. Shikamaru felt like it was a good thing that she decided to travel. He'd take care of her house and she'd get some distance. Temari was anxiously awaiting their baby, they later found out they were having a girl. They'd name her after Temari's mother, Karura.