Chapter 13

I do not own Naruto and it's characters. Kishi does. Some characters mentioned here are mine though. :)

"Shit! Shit! SHIT!"

He punched a tree that he sees on his way. He didn't like what he's feeling, so he cursed again under his breath as he was leaping from branches to branches. He was burning within and that sensation was spreading to him like fire, eating him, cursing within. He stopped on his tracks, and landed in some open field. He was clenching his teeth and fisting his hands into a ball. He wanted to shout, he wanted to cry, he wanted to punch someone, and he wanted to hurt someone but whom? So instead of venting out his anger and frustrations to someone, he punched the nearest tree, it split into two, the force of his punch dragged a mile of trees, making a straight path, clearing its way. It created a loud sound and smoke, birds and animals running away from it.

"Naruto!" It was Kakashi. And before Naruto could even glanced back at the voice, woods were already gripping both of his arms and his feet. It was Yamato's Mokouton.

Naruto didn't struggle. But he was trembling, and he was clenching his teeth, hands still balled into a fist.

"Kakashi-sensei. I told you to leave me alone," he said almost inaudibly.

"You know we can't do that, Naruto" Yamato said. "Understand that we are just doing precautions to—" Yamato halted as he saw Kakashi raised a hand to cut him. Kakashi walked towards Naruto. He eyed his former student, and noted how he grew up within this past years. Naruto's shoulders were broad albeit the trembling and he's almost as tall as him now. His blond hair, though unruly were now cut and styled almost as the same as the Fourth. He grew his side bangs like that of the Yondaime's. In Kakashi's perspective, it was like he was seeing his childhood days with his sensei. It was nostalgic and being with Naruto brings back those memorable days.

"Naruto," he said, in that bedroom voice of his, "do you know where we are?"

He noticed Naruto's shoulders relaxed a bit. His head slowly rose to see the surrounding. They were in the training ground where Team 7 was tested with the bells, the third training ground. The three wood pillars were still there even though signs of wear and tear were visible on the trunks, indicating that others must have been training here too, probably Genins. This is where it started, their teamwork, their friendship, their trust. Those three pillars were their witness, as they struggle together, the three of them, to get the bells from Kakashi, though it ended in a futile attempt, still unfortunate to even graze the bells.

Naruto clenched his teeth once again. He didn't know where he's heading when he dashed out from the Hokage office but apparently, his feet dragged him here. Thinking back then when he heard the news, he shouldn't have done that to Sakura.

But he was too shocked.

And he was hurt. Not by the news that Sakura was pregnant. He's actually happy about that and would congratulate her in either ways no matter how she got pregnant and would still help her all the way. Darn, he would be happy to act as the baby's father if needed arises, taking care of the baby. He's hurt because of the fact with Sasuke.

She had met him. And that frustrates him, a lot.

"Have you calmed down?" He heard Kakashi said. He slowly nodded. He then felt the woods were loosening its grip on his limbs.

Kakashi walked towards Naruto, while Yamato stayed behind them just a few meters away. After all, he was the Kyuubi's suppressor and it was his duty to control the demon fox if needed. Even though, Naruto can control the Kyuubi's power, it won't hurt to be cautious.

"I'm sorry Kakashi-sensei…" he softly said after a while, his eyes on the ground.

Kakashi stood beside him, looked at him when he spoke. It's almost as if Naruto was about to cry. Well, looking at Naruto like that he concluded that his students were still kids at some point. He smiled under his mask. Growing up as a shinobi doesn't mean they should forget the other aspects of life. Life itself is the biggest hurdle they should need to get through and maybe learn along the way. They're on that point now, where they'll face the wall and get confused.

"You shouldn't tell me that. You should tell that to Sakura," he said, as he eyed him. He saw Naruto bit the inside of his lower lip.

"But…but—"

"Tell me Naruto, what do you feel now?" Naruto looked at him with confused eyes. He paused for a while, pondering and thinking what he actually feels.

"I...I'm angry. I'm confused. I'm shocked. I….I'm frustrated…"

"And why is that?"

"Don't play jokes with me Kakashi-sensei! You know why!" Naruto shouted, waving his hand in the air, and then balling them into a fist.

"Hmm, exactly why?" Kakashi seemed to tease him and this ticked off Naruto.

"SAKURA MET SASUKE, THAT'S WHY! AND SHE DIDN'T TELL ME, SHE DIDN'T TELL ANY OF US!" he shouted. "Kuso!"

For awhile, Kakashi just looked at him, staring without blinking and any hint of emotion. It was reciprocated back with an intense glare from the Jinchuuriki, but later Naruto averted his gaze somewhere else. He just let Naruto breath heavily after spitting those words. The copy-nin walked in front of Naruto and then looked up in the sky. It was a cloudless sky, colors turned to a pretty hue of pink, orange, and indigo with the stars starting to appear, serene and clear, too opposite of probably what was happening on the emotional side of his two former students. Even though they have achieved countless things in the shinobi world, they still have too much to know. There are lots of roads to take and a lot of decisions to make. Welcome to the complexity of an adult world, he thought.

"Have you…ever think of what she was feeling right now?" Kakashi said, his eye still fixed in the sky.

Naruto flinched, his eyes grew big. He forgot about that. He was too occupied stirring up his own emotion that he forgot about what Sakura might feel. Given that she didn't tell them about her meeting with Sasuke, but the fact that she's pregnant had momentarily slipped off from his mind. Maybe, her condition now was too shocked for her, more than anyone else's reaction. And she may be hurting more than any of them right now. She knew the story between Sasuke and Sakura, for he was there all those times. He too had loved Sakura, she was his first love after all. He still loved her, but settled it down as being a love to a sister. He knew Sakura love Sasuke, too much that it hurts him to see her frustrations during those times.

"For the past years, you have been chasing after Sasuke. No, all of these years, and that made Sakura a bit…lonely,"

"Why would she be lonely? I am chasing Sasuke, to bring him back in the village, because that's all what we want. That's what she wants!"

"Have you considered talking to her about it Naruto? Like, the two of you, looking for Sasuke?" Kakashi asked him which made him loose a tongue. Right, looking back at those years, it was always him. It was always I. Right after the war, he was too focused on looking for him. If he was intent on chasing on Sasuke back when he was 12, it intensified after their brief clash after the war. Maybe then, he was really forgetting about Sakura and had his mind on the purpose of meeting up with Sasuke and pounds him with some sense. "Sakura didn't mind it really, and she was thankful enough for that determination of yours. It was your promise of a lifetime to her after all. But day by day, this promise you held for her became a 'burden' for you for her sake. She now sees it that way, so she trained so hard, you know that well, to help you ease that burden, because she felt this responsible over it. Yet, compared to the two of you, she can't catch up. So she trained again and again. Her resolved to help you bringing Sasuke back to relieve you with that burden were etched on her heart deeply. So, when she had her chance, what do you think she would do? If you were in her shoes, what would you do given those circumstances, Naruto?"

Naruto furrowed his brow and looked at the ground. Kakashi reached for his pocket and brought out his favorite green book.

"Right…" Kakashi said in his serious tone, burrowed his head on his book, giving Naruto a side-glance "…if I were Sakura, I would fight him to the death just to bring him back to Konoha. But, knowing well how it would probably end, she was ready to die in his hands. That's how determined she was. I just didn't expect this would happen though," Kakashi grinned under his mask. And my, what a turn of event. I wonder what happened between those two. He added on his mind. He sighed. "What happened between Sasuke and Sakura in that village were probably the most delicate and the most painful for Sakura right now. And we need to be there for her, to support her."

Naruto didn't answer, he was already on the verge of crying, Yamato walked towards him and patted him gently on his back. Kakashi buried his head on his all-time favorite book.

"Naruto, let's apologize to Sakura okay? More than anyone else, she needs you now the most. Not Kakashi, not me, but you," he gently said. Naruto nodded still looking at the ground. Then his eyes wondered at the three pillars and he remembered the time when he was tied up on the first survival training with Team 7. It was all for teamwork, and teamwork thought him never to leave a comrade. People who abandoned their missions are trash, but those who abandon their comrades are worst than trash.

"I acted rudely towards her. I really didn't mean to…I'm acting like a child am I? I just, I just felt…maybe I was anxious in some way and this builds up to a frustration bigger than I expected. Chasing after Sasuke made me forgot about Sakura's feelings,"

"It's easy to accept things if you talk it out with her," Kakashi said, his eyes crinkled to a crease, indicating he was smiling under that mask.

"Thank you, Kakashi-sensei, Yamato-taicho.."

"Oh, right Naruto. I forgot to ask," Kakashi said, "Sakura will be a mother soon. What do you think of it?"

"Me? W-Why you asked? Hmm, well…I think she'll be a great mother," Naruto said profusely, blushing deeply upon thinking about it, scratching his head. He still can't believe it either. It seems it was only yesterday when they were a bunch of grade school idiots who finds their place in the shinobi world.

"Well, good to know you don't harbor any hate for the child,"

"Why should I, Kakashi-sensei? The baby is Sakura and Sasuke's child. No matter how a bastard Sasuke is, he is still my friend. Sakura is my friend. And I want the both of them to be happy. Believe it or not, I am happy now knowing that a baby is coming its way. I just hope there'll come a day when both ends meet and everything works out for them. I don't want their child to be another me, or another Sasuke who grew up with hate and despise and resentments. Their child will grow to be loved by all. And I'm here to help her with that," Naruto said, as he grinned, "besides, Sakura is a strong woman, she will become a great mommy, so I'm not worried,"

Kakashi and Yamato smiled.

SxS

Days had passed since the confrontation in the Hokage office happened. Tsunade let Sakura take a few days off to sort out her mind and calmed her down. She complied and thanked her Shishou for being so understanding. She stayed in her house for two days now, thinking things over and never interacting with a soul.

She was on the bed, lying on her side. It's already past noon but she hadn't moved for thirty minutes from that position. She wasn't feeling hungry and she wasn't in the mood to do anything either. She hadn't talked to anyone else but she knows there were two ANBU not far from the proximity of her house. Maybe the Godaime had sent them to observed and guard her, their position told her they were ordered to stayed out but just enough distance were she could sense them and they could watched her. She didn't mind it really, it was Tsunade's way of looking after her.

When she felt her leg was getting numb from not moving, she shifted and lay on her back. Her mind brought her to that day in the Hokage tower. Naruto had walked out, followed by Kakashi and Yamato. Since then, Naruto hadn't talked to her and she learned that Kakashi and Yamato were sent out with different missions. She hadn't heard anything about Sai either.

Sadness came to her. She wanted to talk to Naruto and sort things between them. That day, when she had calmed down, she wanted to run after Naruto but Tsunade told her to give him time to think about the situation.

"Shishou, there's one thing I would like to ask of you," Sakura said softly. She gripped the glass of water Tsunade had given her which was now half-emptied. Her shishou had brought her out of the office and placed her in another room in the Hokage tower. The pinkette, though face was tear-stained and a bit disheveled, she had already calmed down and was sitting silently on the edge of the bed.

"What is it?"

"I…I don't want people to know I'm pregnant and having Sasuke's child,"

"But Sakura—"

"I'll tell them myself, when the time comes," her jade orbs lifted to meet the worried ones of her shishou, "…when it comes. Right now, I'll tell the right people about this, but please keep it from the others. Let no one know about the child," Sakura said as she lowered her eyes.

So this might be what the Sandaime thought when Naruto was born in this world. If people knew he was the Yondaime's son, he would be in grave danger, so to be able to hide him from the people who might be after with the Kyuubi or those enemies who bore resentment and hatred towards the Yellow Flash, they had placed an ordinance in the whole village concealing his real identity. It was taboo to talk about where he came from, who were his parents, in the expense of isolating him from the others…he grew up alone. Everything has its consequences, but all of it was to protect him. And she might be doing the same thing.

No, it'll not be the same at all. She will be there to protect her and Sasuke's child without sacrificing anything.

Tsunade felt like she was about to cry for her little apprentice. But she saw determination on her eyes so she held it back. She just knew her situation felt so wrong, she was too young for this…too young to be a mother, too young to face the harshness of life. But what is hostility? What is hard? As far as she can remember, the life of a ninja was never an easy one. They are soldiers, who defend their village and country where their life was always in line of their duty. They've seen death more than anyone else. But, what is a life of a single mother? It would be normal, if Sakura's a civilian…maybe she would just go on with the flow of life. But her case was different. She's a kunoichi, carrying an Uchiha.

Just thinking that, that little brat is the father makes her blood boil. Oh, how she love to wrap around her hands around his neck! "Why?" Tsunade asked.

"Because…because, I don't want him to know," Sakura's eyes fall on the water on her glass. She saw her reflection on it, tired red eyes from all the crying, yet there's resolute and determination on it."When people talked, the ground has an ear and news can fly. It will reached him and he'll know,"

Tsunade looked at her. There's that question of 'why would she hide this from Sasuke' on her mind but decided to leave it inside her mind. The pinkette's eyes were red from all her crying, her cheeks were rosy-colored from all the rubbing but she's a visage of a determined and composed girl. She was resolute about this and her eyes told her that it's final. Tsunade gritted her teeth and heaved a sigh. "I understand, whatever you're thinking, whatever you're planning,"

"Also, I…" Sakura raised her eyes and looked at Tsunade, "I'm going to accept Tenkou-san's offer,"

That made Tsunade furrowed her brows and she flinched, her mouth agape.

"Sakura, do you know what you're talking about? Uchiha Sasuke is the father of that child. You are carrying an Uchiha," she emphasized the meaning of those words to her, " You know the implications on this right? Both politically and power, you are carrying an heir to an almost wiped-out clan in the world, one that has the most sought-after Kekkei Genkai, the sharingan. You know what this means for Konoha and the whole Fire country. We have almost lost one of our kekkei genkai, but this child means we can restore one of the most prominent clan in Konoha. Sharingan means power to our village. The stability of power in Konoha lies in this child! You need the protection there is because of this delicate matter! And Konoha has that power to protect you and the child. You know you can't accept Tenkou's offer. You can't do that!" Tsunade shouted.

"That's the more reason why I should accept his offer, Shishou. I know how delicate this matter. But…once they know I'm carrying Sasuke's child, I know my baby and I will be the target from the other villages who wants their hands on the sharingan. The moment I conceived this child, I know things will get complicated so I'm thinking the best solution to this as possible. I don't want another incident like Hinata's kidnapping before where her safety was almost compromised and a war almost broke out between Konoha and Kirigakure because of the Byakugan. I don't want that to happen to my baby. I know I maybe holding a responsibility this big but I'm keeping my baby safe and I'll protect him or her. And the best option is to accept Tenkou's offer. Right now, it's the best option. With that, no one will know this is Sasuke's child!"

"And what about when the child started popping out the sharingan? How are you gonna explain that? Sakura…" Tsunade puts a hand on her forehead, looking weary towards her stern-face apprentice, "…you can't keep this thing forever…not to the people, not to Sasuke. He'll know somehow,"

"I'll think of something when I get there. But right now, I'm going to grab the solution where the safety of my baby comes first,"

Tsunade argued to her on that matter but she had decided already. She's keeping her baby and no one will know about it except the people she trust. Sasuke will never know it period! Her shishou told her to think things over and ushered her to go home. She was escorted by Sai who was silent the whole time they walked. She didn't bother to start a conversation to him though which suited him well too. They separated with a slight nod towards each other, too weary about the day's event.

She finally got out from her bed and headed towards the shower. She grabbed her towel which was lying across the chair from her bed and passed her life-sized mirror. She halted when she saw her reflection from that mirror, her angle was slightly diagonal, exposing that little bump on her belly. It was really unnoticeable, but looking intently, she can see it. She put a hand on her tummy and run it slowly from up down to her belly where her hand rested tenderly on that little bump. She felt a warm sensation enveloping her and she smiled a little. Honestly, up until now, she still can't believe she's gonna be a mommy, and it still amuses her, bewildered by it and somehow, it felt magical.

She was blessed with something incredible, something she never expected to have, something from him...a child. It never did crossed her mind, indeed, for she was ready to forget him, ready to give up her love for him, ready to accept that no matter what she'll do, no matter how much she'll struggle, Sasuke will never see her as a woman who was so deeply in love with him. And yet, that night, he kissed her...he touched her...he praised her through the way his eyes looked at her with the longing of a lover to his love. She felt how his touches burned her, his kisses made her mind go blank, and his whispers with her name full of enchantment and passion.

It's as if they were two people who're in love with each other.

Yes, this child is not a mistake. This child was conceived because of love.

Even if she was the only one who believes on that...

Her smile was gone when she remembered why she needed to go to the shower and fix herself. She's going to tell her parents about her situation and she's going to do it right now. And they may not like the news she'll brought for them.

SxS

The six shinobi that lined up in front of her office right now just came from their one-week mission from the Land of Grass. They were the team she dispatched to do a recon mission with regards to the recent jail-break incident that involved the highly secured level where four of the most notorious criminals have managed to escape from it. This two team, that consists of Team 10's, the renowned Ino-Shika-Cho trio and Team 8's Hinata, Kiba and Shino had just arrived this morning, went straight to her office and gave their initial report. The whole team was lead by Shikamaru as their captain, apparently chosen, because Shikamaru's team is good on tactical and assault while Team 8 is good for reconnaissance; scouting, exploring and survey.

"So, it was true that Sasuke had assisted these criminals to escape from that prison," Tsunade pursed her lips into a thin line, looking at Shikamaru who had just laid the results of their recon mission to her. On her table were the photos of the four criminals, files that were from their bingo books, "and what do you learn from these people?" she asked no one particular as she eyed the photos of the four people that managed to run off from the impregnable prison in Grass, of course with the assistance from Sasuke. Thinking about it, this posed more trouble for Sasuke and Tsunade gritted her teeth upon remembering Sakura's situation.

"It was not clear whether Sasuke had really assisted them, or they choose to follow him instead during the jail-break. We're still in the dark why Sasuke did that though, penetrating the Grass's prison. I'm thinking of possible scenarios with this incident and I need to know everything about that prison," Shikamaru said.

"So you think he was after with something else?"

"Yes, but no reports have indicated that something worth was placed or went missing in that prison. Aside from the damage mentioned here," Shikamaru gave Tsunade a scroll, "nothing else. Well, if we didn't consider-"

"-he was looking for something?" The hokage cut him.

"It's an option. We're still investigating on it,"

"And what do you consider this could be?" Tsunade looked at him, brows furrowed. Shikamaru inhaled first before straightening his back.

"It could involve Orochimaru,"

"Tsk!" Tsunade hissed, biting her nails. This case could be bigger than she had expected.

"And these people are?" she asked again about the photos on her table.

"This one, Kondo Hyoma, sentenced to life prison for burning his whole village down, a small village called Tsubaki in River country and killed 62 people. He was called as Suzaku," Shikamaru started as he point the picture of a red-headed man, with bruised features and a body-built physique, "this one, Torima Aoi, known because of the hideous experiments that involved humans and animals, combining them together. Also known as chimera experiments, he kidnapped 33 women, and 34 men, and found them mutated and decapitated in an underground basement in Taro Island four years ago. We assisted in his case, resulted on his capture and arrest. He's known in the prison as Seiryuu,"

"Much like Orochimaru huh?" Tsunade said, looking at the picture of the pale man. She remembered that case because it stirred quite in the public, the people feeling unrest about it.

"This man, Shimokawa Take, was a former monk in a temple in Earth country, said to have been possessed by a demon and attack various temples around the country, he wields a huge blunt weapon made of steel. He's known as Genbu. And this one, " he points out to the last photo in the table. It's a picture of a white long haired and the only woman in the group, "…is Murasame Taiga, the only female of the group, her hair turned white due to an experiment made to her in a secret facility in Yu. She is known as, Byakko."

Tsunade went silent for a while looking intently on the pictures.

"Suzaku, Seiryuu, Genbu, Byakko…don't tell me—"

"Yeah, they were named after the four deity that protects the four corners of the world, " Shikamaru said, looking bored but serious, he arranged the photos, with Shimokawa Take facing north from Tsunade (Genbu), Kondo Hyoma, just below it or south (Suzaku), Torima Aoi on Tsunade's right or east (Seiryuu), and Murasame Taiga just across it or the west (Byakko), "and the interesting thing here is…this one," Shikamaru pointed on the empty center that surrounded the four, "was represented by Sasuke, the Kirin,"

"Kirin…you mean a giraffe?" Kiba intercepted, his eyes were on the ceiling thinking why a giraffe would be the center of the four. (A/N Kiba was talking about kirin, meaning giraffe in Japanese and confused it with a Kirin. A Kirin is a divine beast in Chinese mythology, it is covered in gold scales, shaped like a deer, has a cow's tail and a horse hooves. Its head looks like a dragon with a single horn growing on it. It is said to more divine and powerful than a phoenix and a dragon, that's why Shikamaru placed Sasuke as the center of the four :)

"Ahou," Ino barked at him, "have you been sleeping in our class in the academy? A Kirin is a mythical beast y'know,"

"Ahh, and maybe coincidental because Sasuke is a lightning user, and somehow Kirins are manifested as Lightning Dragons," Shikamaru said, "interesting really,"

Tsunade looked grim as she stared at the pictures on her table. What could they be planning? She needs to think ahead for the sake of the village. Sasuke alone is a big threat, but with four with him, they could be facing a bigger problem.

"Godaime, that would be all," Shikamaru said.

"Yes, I want a written report on this Shikamaru, and I want you to do that. Return tomorrow for a discussion about this. Anyway, all of you can go now. Disperse!" she shouted.

"Hai!" chorused by everyone. They began to head for the door, relieved that they can finally relax and rest. Chouji mumbled he's hungry and he'll head out to the barbecue shop. Kiba and Shino said they'll go straight home and sleep. Hinata said to pass by to Kurenai's place to visit her before going home.

"Yamanaka, can you stay for a bit?" Tsunade called on her. The blond girl stopped and turned around, looking at the Godaime. Shikamaru passed her but without missing a glance on the hokage. He wondered what it is but decided to let go and grabbed the handle and closed the door of the office softly. He'll go and find his dad, Shikaku to talk about their mission to him. There are far more important things to think about.

"Yes, Tsunade-sama?" Ino asked.

It was a fine afternoon, the Konoha was bustling with people minding their own businesses, children screaming and laughing and playing. The hammering of nails to a wood can be heard, indicating that constructions and building was still on going around. People, civilians and shinobis alike walked in the cobbled stone paths, minding their own little worlds.

But in that bustling village, a certain mother cried when she heard the news, while her father looked grim. They felt sorry for her. But she's not, her baby is not a mistake, she considered it a gift. Her face was that of a determined woman.

Sakura's mother, Haruno Mebuki hugged her tightly. She asked for their forgiveness but not their pity. She asked for their guidance, their acceptance, their understanding. Her father, Haruno Kizashi smiled at her, his eyes wet with tears. He kissed her forehead and finally hugged her too.

They forgave her, they understand her, because they love their only daughter who has been good all these times. Her only mistake was she loved a man. And they have this idea of who the man was yet they choose to keep it to themselves. If their daughter didn't want to talk about him, then she must have her reasons, and they respected that. Sakura shared her decision to them and they accepted it telling her that she's not alone on this. She can go back home if she wants to, and they'll help her.

"Just…just make sure our grandchild sees us okay?" Her mom smiled despite crying, "…I love you, Sakura"

"I will Okasan, please rest assured we'll be okay," she said as she hugged her mother, "You'll see him or her soon,"

Sakura went back to her place, feeling like a weight had lifted off her, she threaded the path on her way home, her feet felt lighter than before.

On the other hand, Tsunade had told Ino to go talked to Sakura. She didn't tell the baby blue-eyed blond what it was but she told her 'she needed someone to talk to' right now. Ino became worried and dashed out of the hokage office after saying her goodbye to the Godaime, thinking Sakura must've been in a pinch. Why would the Godaime be looking so worried like that? It must have been serious.

She arrived in Sakura's house, panting from all the running. She knocked at the door, and it was opened after a while revealing Sakura at the door.

"Pig? I thought you're in a mission—"

"What happened?" Ino interrupted her. Sakura eyed her momentarily, surprised by her question. She looked at her bestfriend/rival and noticed that she was still dirty and looked disheveled and concluded that she may have just arrived from her mission and just came from the Hokage tower. Thinking that the Hokage might have told the blond girl about her situation, she lowered her eyes.

"Come in," she said softly and turned around leaving the door open for Ino. She threaded towards the sofa and waited for her there.

Ino walked inside the house slowly, closing the door behind her, worry was evident on her face. Based on Sakura's reaction, something must have happened.

"What is it?" she asked the pinkette, who grabbed a mint colored pillow that shaped like a lemon and hugged it. She buried her head on the soft pillow. Ino kneeled in front of her and settled her hands on Sakura's lap. The med-nin raised her head and inhaled deep, then looked at the blond's baby-blue eyes.

It seemed her Shishou hadn't told Ino about everything.

"Ino…"

Ino flinched a bit. When Sakura called her real name, it means she's serious. So she grabbed the pinkette's hand and looked at her intently.

"…I'm—I'm pregnant Ino,"

"What?!" Ino shrieked, her eyes wide "…when? How? Oh, oh…scratch that last question," Ino frantically asked her, "Oh…..oh...shi- really?!" she laughed.

Sakura smiled upon seeing Ino getting freaked out and smiling at the same time. She nodded to her bestfriend who was looking at her with sparkling eyes. Ino clamped her mouth with her hands to suppress a shriek again.

"Oh my…oh my God forehead…really? How.. how long?" Ino managed to ask.

"Going to three," Sakura smiled.

"Oh, shit Forehead, you're gonna be a mother? I mean—" Ino paused and grabbed her shoulders, "…who's the father? Don't tell me, it's Genma!?"

"Hell, no, Pig! Where did that come from?"

"Yeah, it would be impossible, hahaha! I mean, I would really freaked out if that guy really get in your panties," Ino seated on her couch now, holding her hands, "so who is it? I mean, how can you not tell me you already had a boyfriend, Forehead! We promised not to keep secrets right? I didn't even notice…I didn't see you going out with a guy before. I mean, no offense, you seemed so obsessed with your work at the hospital!" Sakura cleared her throat and looked Ino in the eyes, which made Ino feel uneasy about this, "W-What?"

"S-Sasuke," she said softly, a beautiful blush adorned her face, "I-It's Sasuke-kun…"

Ino stared at her like she just told her the stupidest joke in the world. Sakura averted her gaze from Ino's shocked one. Ino's mouth opened and closed but no words came out from it. It took her awhile to get her composure, "WHAT? You...him, SASUKE? Y-You met him?"

Sakura sighed, "yes,"

And she told her everything, not leaving a single moment that transpired in that fateful meeting with Sasuke. She told her all the things that happened in her mission in Hotaru village, except the details of that intimate moment with him, Tsunade's discovery on her situation, and everyone's reaction, even Naruto's reaction. She told her that she hadn't talked to Naruto since that day. She also told the blond girl about her final decision which was opposed by Tsunade.

"Okay, Forehead, let me breath for awhile!" Ino said, putting her hands on her chest in an over-reacting manner, fanning her face, "forget Naruto, he'll come over it in a few days, but what I don't get is, who is this Tenkou-san you're talking about? I mean, thinking what Tsunade-sama thought about your situation, she's right! You need the protection of Konoha and its safer here in the village. Who is Tenkou?"

"Remember the letter I told you about? The one that arrived before I went to Suna for a solo mission?"

"Yeah, I think I remember something like that," Ino said, her brows furrowed as she tried to remember the letter, "that was about six months ago right? Sorry, I didn't really paid attention to it. Does it have anything to do with this Tenkou-san?"

"It was a letter of invitation from Dr. Tenkou Inaba, a specialist in neurosurgeon, immunology and poison. His other specialty is ophthalmology…he's an eye specialist. He was Shishou's colleague and together they pioneered and changed the world of medicine. They have worked together before and he visited Konoha and that's the time I came to know him. Shishou introduced me to him, and...he…he sent me a letter. He invited me to study under him, in Tea Country…for five years…and I accepted it now,"

"WHAT?!" Ino shrieked.

TBC
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Reedited

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Oh heeeyyyy~ thank you for the warm reviews! You just don't know how happy I am reading all your wonderful reviews! Here, cookies for you! :*

Thank you so much for all the suggestions on our upcoming baby~ rest assured everything you said is considered. Please keep those suggestions coming until the birth of our baby~ yay. (Poll: Suggestion corner for the baby: girl, boy, twins and name suggestions. You can post it in a review or pm me. Thank you~)

You might have noticed (those who followed this story for awhile) that the summary have been changed. It was suggested by a friend after she read the majority of the story. Lol . I sucked on writing up a summary and it always end up like shit. Hahaha.

So, thank you for waiting, hope you enjoy this chapter. :)

References for the Kirin

- it is a powerful jutsu by Sasuke :)

In Japanese mythology, the Kirin is considered a holy creature, whose cry is a musical scale and whose footprints are perfect circles. It is very peaceful and careful, capable of walking on water and on grass without bending the blades. It doesn't eat meat either. It only appears in places ruled by a benevolent and wise leader and is well-known for punishing the wicked.In Japan, the kirin is considered as the most powerful and divine as opposed to the hōō, the ruler of birds — and is usually placed above all other mythological creatures, including the ryū (dragon) and hōō. It can live up to a millennium and wounding one or coming across its corpse is considered a bad omen.