Man to Man

Naruto didn't know what to do anymore. He felt hopeless. Would the notebook and letters really work? Would he able to convince Ino to forgive him? He wasn't sure anymore and the daunting feeling was painful. He needed someone to talk to. Someone who understood.

And then it struck him. Gaara. Gaara understood. He had gone through the exact same thing. Determined once again, Naruto pulled out a pen and paper and started writing to his friend.

The bond with Sunagakure had strengthened as time passed, and out of all the five major nations, Konoha and Suna was the closest. However, that did not mean they neglected their other alliances. Together, Konoha and Suna worked to make the Shinobi Alliance work. One of the major steps the Five Nations has taken to ensure the alliance was still in one piece was to have a Kage Summit every year. It was a time when the leaders came together and discussed issues.

Gaara felt that the bond between the nations was a blessing. Over the past decade, he had made numerous friends in all the nations, and he would never hesitate to help any of them, no matter what the situation.

So when he received a personal letter from Naruto, he got worried. Naruto wasn't the type to write long letters covering his everyday life. Something was wrong and as Gaara read the letter his heart bled for his friend.

When Gaara went home that evening, he went straight to his wife, Mikan, who was peeling an orange on the balcony. She loved watching the sunset from their bedroom balcony.

"Temari gave the notebook to Naruto," Gaara said as he sat down next to Mikan. Mikan's green eyes widened at the news.

"Really?" she asked.

"Yes."

"Never thought I'd see the day," Mikan smiled, "but I get it. Those two are very much like us."

Gaara agreed. Mikan finished peeling her orange and handed Gaara a piece. He took it gratefully. Mikan loved oranges, which was ironic considering that her name meant 'mandarin orange'.

Gaara and Mikan watched the sun set over the horizon, the desert glowing orange as the last rays faded. Gaara could never grow tired of this. He loved his village. But he had also learned to properly prioritise his life. He never put the village before Mikan, just like he never put her before the village.

"By the way," Mikan interrupted the silence, "I have something I have been meaning to tell you."

"Hm?" was the only response. Mikan chuckled and grasped Gaara's hand, pulling him closer towards her. Confused, he watched her place his hand on her stomach. Gaara looked up, still not sure what she was trying to do and noticed the tears in his wife's eyes.

"Mikan?"

"I'm pregnant."

Ino was worried. She had been sick for the past few days and she wasn't getting better. Temari gave her strange looks every morning when she threw up, but did not say a word. Shikamaru and Asuma did not seem to be aware of anything.

When Ino threw up for the fifth time that morning she decided to go to the hospital. Maybe the stress really was getting to her. Hopefully Sakura had something to help her.

"I'm going to the hospital today," Ino announced at breakfast.

"Do you want me to come with you?" Temari asked. Ino shook her head.

"I would come pick you up afterwards," Shikamaru said, "but I have a mission. Sorry Ino."

"Don't be," Ino smiled weakly. Shikamaru and Temari smiled at their friend, both aware of what was wrong with her, however they did not think it was stress related, like the poor soul did.

Asuma wasn't sure what was going on, but he merely smiled at the three adults around him. He felt that he needed to make them happy. Then he remembered the bird in his pocket - the one the strange fox man had given him.

"Auntie Ino!" Asuma exclaimed as he rummaged through his pocket.

"Yes?" Ino asked with a smile, but it didn't reach her eyes.

"A fox man asked me to give this to you!" Asuma announced as he held out a paper crane. Ino's eyes widened, while Asuma's parents watched with smiles on their faces. Shakily, Ino took the crane from Asuma's small hand.

"Thanks, Asuma," Ino thanked the boy, "was the fox man nice?"

Asuma nodded. Ino's smile widened. Naruto had always been good with kids.

Ino excused herself. She wanted to read the letter alone. She locked herself in her room and sat down on her bed.

Ino,

You're right, I am a busy man. Maybe I overwork myself. I'm starting to think it's a bad idea to work so much. But I do not know how to overcome this obsession with work.

Your husband must be a very lucky man, having a woman like you in his life. After all, he hurts you, treats you like dirt and yet you have remained with him for such a long time. He doesn't deserve your love. You deserve better. Maybe you can't forgive him, and know that that is okay.

Naruto

She wasn't sure what possessed her the minute she finished the letter, but tears were flowing down her cheeks. Why? Why was Naruto making this so difficult?

"Congratulations," Sakura announced when she returned with the test results. Ino blinked in confusion.

"Huh?"

Sakura sat down and smiled at her best friend. She knew this was going to make things hard, but she had to stay strong for her friend.

"Your due date is November 11th," Sakura said as she looked at the clipboard in her hands.

"Huh?" Ino echoed. Sakura had to swallow her laughter.

"Ino," Sakura began, "you are not overstressed. You are pregnant."

"What?" Ino exclaimed, horrified. No, no, no, no! She could not be! Now was not the time for a baby! Ino's stomach churned. This was bad. Really bad.

For the second time that day Ino cried.