Chichi - father

Hahaoya - mother

o.O.o

Chapter 6

"Would anyone like more pancakes?" Hinata asked from the stove, where the frying pan and jug of pancake mixture rested.

"No thanks," Ino and Sakura chorused.

"Yes please," Tenten and Lee chorused. Neji said nothing.

Silence had greeted Sakura's confession for several long minutes. The pink-haired girl had absolutely dreaded the questioning and suddenly felt very tired. Hinata had saved her by suggesting that they go to sleep and leave the questions for the morning. Everyone silently complied and Sakura felt them shifting away from her before they fell asleep. Lee's hand had snuck down from the couch to stroke her hair and she drew strength from his support. If her friends weren't willing to accept her pregnancy, at least he did.

Neji broke the silence. "Hinata, can I talk to you?"

She placed the spatula on the bench and glanced at Tenten. "Can you watch this for me?" The brunette nodded and the siblings retreated up the hallway for their discussion. Sakura kept her eyes on her empty plate, fearing possible rejection, and even though stress was bad for the baby she couldn't help but worry. Teenage pregnancy was a big thing in modern society and it was less common for the parents to want to keep the child, as teenagers were normally unequipped for parenthood. And because most guys fled when they learned they were going to be a chichi. When that happened, abortion was the easy way out.

Hinata and Neji walked back into the kitchen, grim expressions on their faces. Tenten stepped away from the stove and leant against the nearest bench casually. Sakura could sense that the questioning was near. At least Hiashi was at work and Hanabi was in her room, that way they didn't have to worry about being overheard.

As Hinata picked up the spatula, she glanced quickly at Sakura. "Neji knows. He heard."

Sakura paled and widened her eyes at the boy. "Will you…?"

"Hinata told me not to tell. It's not mine to tell." He moved around the kitchen bench to sit on one of the four stools, the others taken up by Sakura, Lee and Ino.

Tenten cast her eyes around the others. "I guess no one else is gonna ask the question. How far along are you?"

Sakura clasped her hands together and breathed deeply. "One month."

Ino asked the question that Sakura feared the most. "Who's the chichi?" When Sakura opened her mouth to speak, the blonde continued. "Is it Sasuke?"

"No," Sakura replied quickly. "We never… well, we didn't go that far."

"Then who's the chichi?" Ino pressed. Sakura's voice stuck in her throat and her belly pulsed with fear and uncertainty. Why did she think she could do this? This was terrifying!

Lee stood, his stool clattering to the floor with his sudden movement. "I am the chichi," he announced.

Stares greeted his outburst until Neji spoke. "I'm assuming that since you're telling us this, it means that you're keeping the baby." All eyes turned to him and he shrugged. "What? If they were going to abort it they wouldn't bother telling us."

"They're not telling you," Ino said, her voice raised in unexpected anger. "You were just in the wrong place at the wrong time. And if you even think of telling anyone I will-"

"Ino, I've already warned him," Hinata cut in. Lee was looking around at them in confusion.

"Please, do not shy away. Sakura and I need to know your thoughts."

Ino stood and held out her hand. "Well I congratulate you. It's a brave thing. I always thought there was something more between you. You make a cute couple."

Sakura shook her head, feeling suddenly guilty. "We're not actually a couple." Yet. She let the unsaid word ring clear for everyone to register, so they knew there was potential. Nevertheless, she enveloped Ino in a grateful hug after Lee shook the blonde's hand.

Tenten stood and tugged at the hem of her pyjama top awkwardly, inviting closer scrutiny. "Sakura… Lee… you can't expect me to be okay with this right away. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy for you, but it's so unexpected."

"I don't expect you to get it," Sakura said immediately. She sat back on her stool and laid her hands palm-down on the counter. "Please understand that this is very hard for us. Lee and I plan to leave school at the end of this year, though we might continue our education later. Guys… we can't do this without support. My parents and Gai will help us, but we need you. Our baby will need some aunties to fawn over him or her. I know it's selfish, but please don't turn your back."

"It's not selfish of you," Hinata said quietly. "You and Lee are the ones who are making sacrifices, not us. I really admire your courage, both of you. I couldn't ask for better friends."

Even Tenten was nodding slowly. "I think I'm understanding. But Lee," she turned to the boy in question, "when the hell did this happen?"

Lee answered immediately. "It was just after Sasuke broke up with her."

Neji had been silent for a while, but he finally murmured, "I called up and almost told him last night. He's going to be asking questions."

Sakura looked at Lee, who smiled sweetly and reached across the counter to take her hand. "The information is ours to share, me and Lee. But," she said deviously, "I do admit I'd like for people to find out when I'm well and truly pregnant. Their faces would be hilarious!"

o.O.o

After leaving Hinata's house after lunch, Sakura and Lee wandered to the nearby park and sat on one of the benches, tucking their bags under their legs. A concrete path ran all throughout the park, lined at some places by bushes and trees. More trees dotted the entire block, with a rather thick collection off to one side. At the moment, Sakura and Lee were in a secluded spot, away from prying eyes.

"So," she said quietly, "we've told our parents and friends. Where do we go from here?"

"We will focus on maintaining the health of you and the baby," Lee replied determinedly. Sakura saw the truth in his statement, as she wasn't feeling so well. The constant vomiting was taking its toll and she hadn't been eating as much as she should. She was pale and weak and her eyes were set in sockets of black, easily revealing her difficulties sleeping. Lee was lucky, she mused, to not have to worry about everything she did.

"How did it come to this?" she murmured. Lee looked at her strangely.

"We spent the night together and are dealing with the consequences by being brave."

"Is that what the baby is? A consequence?"

"No! Truthfully, I could not think of a better word. I will find one when I get home."

"Lee," her voice was strained, "why are you staying?"

He stilled, considering her words. "I am staying because you are my friend, Sakura, and I do not abandon my friends when they need me most. And because I wish to be a part of our child's life. Do you expect me to wake up one morning and turn my back? I made a commitment and I will not break it. I am in this just as much as you are, because I-" When he didn't continue, Sakura glanced at him and saw a blush on his cheeks.

"Most other boys would up and run." She placed her hand on the bench, in the space between them. "I'm glad that you're the chichi and I'm sorry for wrecking your life this way."

"You have not wrecked my life. You have made it better." He covered her hand with his and the pair sat there comfortably, watching the world around them move past.

o.O.o

Sakura and Lee had been the first to leave Hinata's, heading off together. Ino had left shortly after and Tenten was still there, as both her hahaoyas were unavailable until mid-afternoon.

It was still hard to believe that Sakura was pregnant. She didn't look pregnant, Tenten thought, but there had been signs, like when she'd thrown up in the kitchen sink and when she'd freaked out after the ball hit her in the chest. Plus, she'd been incredibly distant for the last month for seemingly no reason, talking to no one but Lee. Now Tenten knew why.

She had to commend both teenagers for their bravery. A baby was a big job and they were effectively halting their lives to care for it. That took guts. Especially for Lee, as he had the opportunity to back out and want nothing to do with the child, but he'd stayed. It spoke wonders about his character. Tenten knew he would have stayed no matter what, given that he was in love with Sakura. It seemed that everyone but the girl in question knew of his feelings, and the fact that he'd never forced them on her was remarkable.

"Sakura sure is lucky," the brunette murmured quietly, reclining on the couch.

"They're both lucky," came Neji's voice from across the room. Tenten stiffened but didn't turn around. The last thing she wanted was to face Neji, because what if he'd heard her last night?

"Yep," she said with a hint of finality in her voice, trying to avoid conversation.

To her chagrin, Neji joined her on the couch, leaning forward with his hands on his knees. "What they're doing is brave, real brave. I envy them for their confidence."

Despite herself, Tenten snorted. "How can someone in that situation be confident? I'd be terrified out of my wits!"

"Then it's good you're not in that situation."

She turned her head to glare at him. "Are you making fun of me?"

"No. I'm just trying to engage you in conversation so I can get to know you better."

Tenten cursed silently, her suspicions aroused. Neji had obviously heard her last night and was trying to discern if he was interested or not. Well, she wouldn't give him the satisfaction. She stood and rushed from the lounge, grinning from ear-to-ear. Hinata was in her room when Tenten entered, folding clothes and placing them in her dresser.

"What happened?" Hinata asked in confusion.

"Oh, I'm pretty sure your brother knows I have a crush on him."

Hinata didn't look surprised. "He told me that he heard everything, even about Kiba, and threatened to beat up Kiba if he hurt me. And he said that Choji likes Ino so she has nothing to worry about, and he was not expecting you to have a crush on him. He probably thinks that liking your friend's sibling is weird."

"He is very weird."

"I know. He's bipolar on the best of days, and mostly grumpy. He just misses attention from chichi."

Tenten hesitated. "Are you sure he won't tell about Sakura and Lee?"

"I'm sure," Hinata said confidently. "He knows he shouldn't've heard it and that Sakura and Lee decide who to tell."

Now Tenten asked the question that had been bugging her all morning. "Lee has feelings for Sakura, right?"

"Yes. It's fairly obvious."

"He told me when we started high school. But do you think they'll become a couple? I don't see it happening with the way Sakura's acting. It's like she doesn't even want to try and be with Lee."

"No, I think she's trying. It's just hard to have romantic thoughts about a person you've always seen as a friend."

"Like you and Kiba."

"Like me and Kiba. Just give them time and they'll come around. Lee isn't one to lie and if she asks, he'll tell the truth."

"Hopefully." Tenten shuddered. "I'm just glad that Lee's the chichi and not Sasuke. I'd hate for Sakura to be shacked up with a gay guy who can never love her back."