Only a couple more chapters to go... it's sad because I had so much fun writing this!

Chichi - father

Hahaoya - mother

o.O.o

Chapter 16

Keiko wailed and squirmed as Tsunade placed her in Sakura's arms for the first time. Tears joined the perspiration on her face and she took Keiko in shaky hands, holding the baby like she was about to break. Kizashi and Mebuki grabbed each other and hugged tight, sobbing in relief. Lee raised a gently hand and touched Keiko's tiny palm with his finger, sucking in a breath when she tightened her hand around his finger in reflex.

"She's beautiful," Sakura breathed.

"She is perfect. I am glad the birth was so smooth." Lee removed his face mask and kissed Sakura's forehead first, then Keiko's. "We have created a life, Sakura."

"It's so hard to fathom, but it's happened." She smiled tiredly, her body beginning to throb as the adrenaline rush wore off. "We're parents. You're a chichi now." Her head fell back against the pillow in exhaustion and Lee pried Keiko from her grip, cradling his daughter close.

Tsunade stepped close and opened Sakura's eyelid with a gloved finger, shining a torch at the pupil. She nodded, satisfied with what she saw there. "You should rest, Miss Haruno. If you like, we'll take your daughter into the next room to clean her off while you have a shower yourself."

Sakura stirred, unsure. "Me… separating from her?"

"Only for a few minutes," Tsunade assured her. "You both need to be washed. Then she will need feeding." She turned to Shizune. "Nurse, could you please bring in an incubator and set it up?"

"Yes ma'am." Shizune disappeared next door and wheeled an incubator inside, proceeding to plug it in and flick several switches.

Tsunade laid a gentle hand on Sakura's shoulder. "I need to check you over to make sure everything's in order. Are you okay with that?"

"Yeah…" Her eyes fluttered as sleep threatened and the throbbing became worse.

"How are you feeling?" The midwife began to look over Sakura to make sure there was no bleeding and that her heart rate and blood level were returning to normal.

"So tired and sore…" Sakura licked her lips. "And thirsty."

Mebuki immediately rushed outside to the nearest water cooler to get some water. Tsunade nodded at Sakura's words, as labour was a taxing activity: mentally, emotionally and physically. "What are you calling her?" she asked, checking the final monitor.

"Keiko," Lee replied. "Keiko Haruno."

Tsunade nodded. "It's a pretty name. Well Miss Haruno, you're all in order." She turned to Lee. "If you don't mind Mister…"

"Rock Lee."

"Mister Lee, if you don't mind I'd like to take Keiko next door for cleaning. She won't be hurt. It's just to get all the liquid and blood off her and dress her in some warm clothes."

Keiko began to cry, legs and arms flailing in the blanket. Lee hesitantly handed her over to the midwife. "Okay. I will take Sakura to the shower. Come here, blossom."

"I don't know," she said uncertainly, watching as Tsunade exited the room with Keiko in her arms.

"You will feel better. They are setting up an incubator and she will sleep in the room with us."

Sakura looked at Shizune, who was still busily working on the incubator. "Okay. I need to change clothes anyway."

Lee gathered her in his arms, knowing from research that she shouldn't be walking right now. He carried her to the adjoining bathroom and Kizashi closed the door behind them before going to strip the bed, as new sheets were needed. Lee lowered Sakura into the shower cell and pulled the hospital gown over her head, noting that she wore nothing underneath. She leant against the wall tiredly, legs shaking slightly, and Lee took the shower head and began to wash her down.

"I don't like leaving Keiko alone for one second," Sakura admitted. "I know I need a shower and everything but…"

"I understand. Midwife Tsunade is good at her job and she will not let any harm befall our daughter. For the moment let me care for you. You just went through a harrowing ordeal and you must rest."

"Have I told you recently just how much I love you?" she turned her head to look into his eyes, a slow smile spreading across her face.

"Have I told you that I love you?"

"You did." She rested her head against the wall as Lee washed her sweat-crusted arms. "I can't believe it," she murmured. "We have a baby together."

"I know."

"I couldn't've done this without you, Lee. Words can't express how grateful I am."

"I do not need words." He stroked her wet face softly. "I know you are. And I am grateful to you for accepting me. I believe that together we can accomplish great things."

"You're so cliché."

"Always." He finished washing her and found a towel in the cupboard underneath the sink, using it to dry her as best as possible. She winced every time he touched her stomach so he avoided that area. Then he found another hospital garb underneath the sink and dressed her, taking off his own socks and tugging them onto her feet to keep them warm. The socks might be a little smelly but they would stop her feet from freezing during the night.

He carried her back outside and laid her on the freshly-made bed, kissing her forehead. His exhausted girlfriend collapsed against the pillow, eyes drooping despite her best efforts to stay awake.

Mebuki came through the door with a tray of food from the hospital cafeteria. Sakura's eyes opened wide as the tray was placed on her bedside table. Mebuki reached underneath the bed and tugged a small table from underneath, bringing it around entirely so it hovered just above Sakura's lap. The tray as set on the small table and Sakura devoured it, not realising how hungry she was. She barely tasted the food. Even better, Mebuki had brought her a bottle of water, which she finished within a minute.

"That was good." She burped appreciatively and glanced at the door. "Do you think they're done?"

"She'll be dressing Keiko warmly," Mebuki told her. "Newborns can't regulate body temperature like we can, so we have to keep them warm at all times."

"It's a good thing summer's approaching," Kizashi joked, wrapping an arm around his wife.

Tsunade entered with Keiko, the baby now wearing a pink jumpsuit. She deposited her in her hahaoya's arms. "She's hungry. Do you know how to properly feed her?"

"I do." Sakura pushed her garb aside and lifted Keiko's face to her breast. The child's mouth found its goal and she suckled happily, staring up at Sakura with wide green eyes. Tufts of pink hair dotted her now-clean head and Sakura admired how flawless her skin was. Mebuki bent down and touched her granddaughter's forehead softly, prompting the baby to glance up at her.

"She looks so much like you," Mebuki whispered.

"Thank you hahaoya, and chichi, for everything." Sakura held back tears and smiled weakly, the exhaustion taking hold again. Then her eyes turned on her newborn daughter and a very strange feeling coursed through her body, unlike anything she'd felt before. All the other people in the room seemed to disappear and only Keiko existed. Green eyes met green eyes and Sakura's heart raced as she realised what the feeling was. It was a hahaoya's love. At that moment, she knew she'd do anything to keep her daughter safe. Another presence intruded their bubble and Lee placed his hand on Sakura's shoulder tenderly. She had everything she ever needed right here in the room. The emotion made her throat constrict and she bent her head slightly to kiss Keiko's forehead. "Hahaoya loves you," she whispered, closing her eyes.

Lee held out his finger and Keiko grabbed it, her eyes turning to him. "Chichi loves you too," he murmured, his eyes suddenly watering. Their tender moment was broken when they were deposited back into reality.

Kizashi tapped his wife's shoulder. "I don't know about you, but I could do with something to eat. We best leave the parents to do their thing for a while. And so Sakura can get some sleep."

Keiko lowered her mouth, having drunk her fill, and some milk dripped down her cheeks. Sakura wiped it away fondly. Her parents smiled and left the room, thanking Tsunade as they passed.

Tsunade approached Lee. "If you don't mind, I'd like to show you how to put your child in the incubator and what settings are appropriate."

Lee lifted Keiko and smiled. "It is alright, Sakura. You need to rest. I will call our friends and tell them the good news."

Sakura nodded tiredly and fixed her eyes on the midwife. "Tsunade… thank you for delivering our baby."

"It was my pleasure." She smiled. "Now you sleep." She ushered Lee over to the incubator, where she began to explain the details of use. Sakura closed her eyes and fell asleep within seconds.

o.O.o

The next week passed very quickly. Sakura adjusted to her child while Lee and her parents were busily helping Lee move into their house and doing last-minute cleaning. Lee came to visit every day and had stayed with her nearly every night.

Now she was free of the hospital and her friends had come over to see Keiko for the first time. It was slightly nerve-wracking to have all her friends looking at the baby and she wondered if they were judging her, though they didn't say anything.

Ino's first words belayed any fear Sakura felt. "Oh my goodness… she's so cute!"

Tenten joined in. "You guys made an adorable baby!"

Hinata touched Keiko's head lightly, gasping at the softness of her hair. "She's beautiful."

She let out a sigh of relief, resting back against Lee's body. His arms automatically wrapped around her waist. "You have no idea how glad I am to hear you say that," she said.

"We were concerned that you would stop approving of our decision," Lee continued, rubbing his hands over Sakura's still-enlarged belly. A sigh escaped her lips and she felt so… so content in his arms, especially with their baby curled up in the crib next to them.

"And why would we do that?" Ino raised her eyebrow. "You're making us aunties, remember?"

"Plus how can we say no to that gorgeous face?" Tenten chuckled and bent down, blowing a raspberry on Keiko's cheek. The newborn stared up at her in confusion. Hinata nudged Tenten aside and laid her hand on the baby's face, stroking the soft skin fondly.

"She's so soft! I'm glad the birth went well. I know someone who had to get a C-section and they couldn't walk around for weeks!"

"Yeah, I can walk without help now." Sakura shuddered. "It was so awful having to rely on other people so I could go to the toilet! But I have to say… they have some great toilets there. Women who've just given birth shouldn't wipe after they pee, otherwise it hurts like hell, so the hospital installed this really cool system that sprayed water up so I didn't have to wipe!"

"Too much information," Tenten groaned, making a face.

"But hey, when you have little Hyuga children it'll be a relief to know that you don't have to wipe."

"Who says I'm having little Hyuga children?"

"We do." Sakura grinned evilly. "I want to be an auntie too you know."

"But who says they'll be Hyuga children?"

"Just a hunch." Hinata giggled. "I'd love to have you as a sister-in-law!"

"You guys are so annoying. I don't know why I bother." Tenten lowered her hands into the crib, glancing at Sakura. "May I?"

"No… I don't feel comfortable with anyone else holding her just yet," Sakura admitted. Tenten immediately withdrew her hands. "Plus, I'd have to show you the correct way to hold a baby first."

"Oh, that makes sense."

Ino rested her elbows on the crib, watching Keiko with soft eyes. "I'll bet she's keeping you up at all hours."

"We have not had a solid nights' sleep since she was born," Lee said mournfully, "but she is worth it."

"Yeah, you weren't the one who had to give birth to her." Sakura rolled her eyes but was unable to prevent a smile from breaking across her face, a smile he couldn't see from his position behind her.

"I would have if I could have, you know that."

Sakura saw the questioning gazes. "Childbirth is painful. Lee doesn't like seeing me in pain. Go fish." Nods of understanding followed her explanation.

"I reckon we should throw a party for you three," Ino said suddenly. "Like, a 'Congratulations' gathering."

"I do not want a party," Lee said immediately.

"Me neither. You could come over for dinner soon, if you like, but no party. We'll be too busy taking care of this little one and Lee has work."

Hinata's phone vibrated and she whipped it out, squeaking in terror. "It's from Neji! Chichis on his way back from his meeting! I have to get home right away!"

"Still grounded?" Sakura asked as she hugged her friend.

"Yeah… Neji promised to cover for me because he understands how important this is to me." Hinata hugged Lee and waved goodbye to everyone else before racing out the door, where she grabbed her bike from where it leant against the garage and rode away. She didn't even bother to put on her helmet.

"Nice to know she has good siblings," Ino said absently. "I wish I had a sister… or even a brother!" She narrowed her eyes at the parents. "I hope you intend to give Keiko some siblings!"

"At some stage." Sakura shrugged. "Just let us get through this one first. Though I'm glad you think I'd make a good hahaoya."

"You have a baby at sixteen. You two make a cute couple and amazingly brave parents."

Lee wrapped his arms around Sakura's waist again, placing a kiss on the top of her head. "Thank you for your praise."

Sakura had to admit, it did feel good to have her friends believing in her and Lee, as well as fawning over Keiko. She was filled with pride at their compliments for her daughter. Her daughter. Hers and Lee's. It still felt a little unreal that it was actually happening; ten months ago she was a normal teenager in a relationship with one of the most popular boys in school. Now she had a baby and was deeply in love with her best friend. Much to her surprise, it felt so right, just like the way she felt right now: nestled in his arms with their baby falling asleep right next to them.

"How are you two coping?" Ino asked curiously.

"Um… well, we're okay. Not much sleep, but hahaoya is such a great help. She's been trying to set up a routine for us." Sakura's eyes lit up. "Plus, tomorrow night is Saturday night and that's Grandpa Gai's night."

"I have not seen him since I moved here," Lee sighed. "I miss him. Grandpa Gai Saturday's are a fantastic idea."

Ino peered at the bags under their eyes. "You guys look exhausted. We should go."

"No, you can stay-"

"I'm taking you up on that offer for dinner. How does Saturday sound?"

"I'd have to ask hahaoya…"

"Well I'm in!" Tenten beamed. "Give me the time and I'll come. Do I need to bring a platter?"

"I'd have to ask hahaoya."

"She'll say yes," Ino said dismissively. "Well we'll head off for now and you can ask your hahaoya about it. It was great to see you all."

Hugs were exchanged and Keiko had both her cheeks pinched (though she didn't wake up). Sakura and Lee walked their friends to the door and waved as they headed down the path to wherever they were going.

"I'm glad they're on our side," Sakura murmured as she and Lee went back to the nursery. "Keiko needs some aunties to spoil her."

"She has no uncles," Lee said almost sadly. "I suppose Neji, Kiba and Choji are honourary uncles… but there is no guarantee that they will remain that way for very long. You know how teenage romance can often turn out."

"Not for us and not for them. Besides, it's nice that they're finding love too." Sakura turned to face Lee. "I know we did."

"I will never trade what we have for anything in the world," he said honestly. They both smiled and met halfway for a tender kiss, which quickly turned very passionate with the intent of moving on to something better.

Sakura broke off before it escalated. "Can we wait until I'm fully-healed?" she asked guiltily. "I'm still very tender."

"As long as you need, blossom."

Thankfully he didn't use a cheesy 'I will wait for a thousand years' line, otherwise Sakura would have groaned loud enough to wake Keiko. She had a limit on how many overly-romantic lines Lee could use in a five-minute window.

o.O.o

Lee was keeping a huge secret from Sakura. He'd been keeping it to himself for four-and-a-half months but now he couldn't keep silent.

Sakura and Keiko were both sleeping. Lee stroked his girlfriend's hair and smiled at her peaceful face, eyes drifting to her round stomach. It would take a while for the mound to go down and then Sakura would probably work hard to get rid of the pregnancy fat (he didn't understand why it was such a big deal; she looked gorgeous even with the extra weight). His gaze switched to the wall that separated their room from the nursery. After a quick calculation, he reasoned that Keiko would wake in half an hour, as she normally slept a few hours and then woke up for food or a nappy change. Newborns had a light sleeping cycle.

He stood slowly so Sakura wouldn't wake and went to the kitchen, where he proceeded to boil a jug of water. While that boiled, he filled up the sink with hot soapy water and started to wash up all the feeding equipment, as it had to be washed each time before Keiko was fed.

Kizashi came home as Lee set the bottle, teat, retaining ring and cap to dry and brought the water off the boil, allowing it to cool for the next half hour.

"It's good to see you're pulling your weight," Kizashi commented, loosening his tie. "Where's Sakura?"

"She is sleeping. I wish for her to have a decent rest, as she has not been sleeping well, so I will feed Keiko when she wakes."

Kizashi looked at Lee for a long time. "I'm still not pleased that you got her pregnant at sixteen-"

"Kizashi-"

"-but, I'm glad that you're the one beside her. I couldn't've asked for a better man for my daughter."

Lee immediately blurted out the first thing that came to mind. "I wish to ask your permission to marry Sakura!"

Silence filled the kitchen. Kizashi gaped like a fish. "You… you're serious?"

"Well, you said something a few months ago that got me thinking… and I… bought a ring." Lee hung his head. "It completely emptied my bank account. I understand if you think it is too soon."

"No." Kizashi smiled. "I'm glad you asked my permission first. I give you my blessing. So where's this ring?"

"You will see it tomorrow night. When chichi, Ino, Hinata and Tenten are over for dinner, I plan to ask her to marry me."

"Of course, you won't be getting married at sixteen."

"Will eighteen suffice?"

"Deal. It gives you both time to adjust and wise up a little bit." Kizashi wrapped his arm around Lee's shoulder. "You're the best thing that's ever happened to her. I couldn't imagine a better son-in-law."

"Thank you, Kizashi. I am honoured to be considered your son."

"You've been considered my son for quite a few years, only now it'll be official. Now I best go and get on the computer. I've got work to do." The man stretched tiredly and glanced at the clock. "Mebuki should be home soon."

"I will make dinner once I have fed Keiko," Lee declared.

"Good on you. I'll see you then."

Kizashi left and Lee brought out an already-open packet of powdered formula, a tablespoon and a teaspoon. He then started to measure out formula in the two spoons, levelling them off with a knife and setting them down on the bench. The water had cooled down enough and he poured it into the bottle until it was half-full, then added the spoons of formula. Once the cap and teat were secured, he shook it until the formula was completely dissolved in the water.

Keiko was awake and gurgling when he appeared beside her crib. She stared up at him with bright green eyes and he picked her up gently, resting her tiny body in the crook of his arm. Her mouth opened, searching for food, and he tilted the bottle up so she could fasten her lip on the teat. Pride filled his belly as he watched her suckle, knowing that he'd created this. It was something only a parent could feel and he was glad that things had turned out like they did. He never thought he had a chance with Sakura, but Keiko had changed everything.

As Keiko suckled, Lee's thoughts drifted to his conversation with Kizashi. He'd gladly wait until they were eighteen before getting married, but he couldn't get ahead of himself. Sakura might not want to marry yet. Still… he'd spent quite a lot of time after work wandering around the jewellery stores in search of the One. Eventually – after hours of intense and painful searching – he found it. No one else knew; not even Gai. It was Lee's best-kept secret.

She began to drink slower and Lee waited patiently for her to pull away from the teat – even though it was still a quarter full. He wiped the corner of her mouth and she burped, eyelids fluttering. Lee understood the meaning and lowered her into her crib, watching fondly as she drifted off to sleep.

Then he wandered back to the kitchen, where he washed up the feeding equipment and started making dinner for the Haruno's.