Chapter 22

Beta'd by Black Sparrow

Shiori hurried home, the black haired woman was so lost in thought that she tripped in her agitation over her own feet when she turned into one of the smaller side streets and nearly made her fall. The only thing that had stopped her from tumbling hard onto the ground was the wooden fence on her left side. Shiori's eyes widened and she could feel her heart beat rapidly in her chest. Inwardly she scolded herself 'What the hell was she doing?'

Shiori had always prided herself for her calm and collected nature and that next to nothing could unsettle her and even less could make her lose her composure but this, THIS…terrified her beyond anything she had experienced until now.

Her Zen like composure, that Shiori had forced herself to develop to be somehow able to cope with having the memories and partial personality of a past life, was at the moment nearly completely nonexistent.

While in Kawa Shiori never had to fear about being discovered, she was simply too busy with her chores, work and lessons to even contemplate her situation properly. This had changed rapidly the moment she had entered Konoha and held her residency certificate in her hands. It had taken some weeks for the realization to settle in that she was now living in the midst of shinobi.

Yeah…and then she had freaked out.

Shiori wasn't proud of this but when she finally realized the full extent of her situation she had cried and screamed into her pillow until some of her anxiousness had finally receded and her logic began to return. From that day on Shiori had started to…not meditate but do something similar…Shiori had developed her Zone as she liked to call it. The state of mind she now could enter in seconds that helped her take in the stimuli around her with care, consider the possible outcomes and act accordingly without her emotions and feelings interfering with her actions too much. She didn't know it at that time but during her Zone Shiori radiated a soothing kind of quality that had a positive kind of effect people and because the black haired young woman was a naturally kind soul and hated any kind of conflict, her gestures and responses endeared her to the people she interacted with.

The ninja more so than the civilians.

When Shiori first noticed how her coping mechanism seemed to calm down the normally trigger happy ninja in Konoha she was confused. What made her different then other civilian shop owners in Konoha? Why did she attract professional mercenaries like a flame the moths? Till that day Shiori wasn't sure but after some time she had decided that it probably had something to do with her intentions.

The black haired woman was a people pleaser…she liked helping people, Shiori felt satisfied if she knew that she could ease somebody's worries or help them in another way. She didn't HAVE an ulterior motive other than selling sweets and tea and be generally helpful. And that was probably what made her so successful when others failed.

Shiori now knew that ninja were hyper sensitive to all stimuli around them, or at least the older generation. Their senses were so finely tuned that finding suspicious persons was a long ingrained reflex and when confronted with such a person even if the ninja couldn't pinpoint a reason why they shouldn't trust that person, their gut feeling would still warn them. And ninja NEVER ignored their gut feeling, at least not those that had a few serious battles behind them.
So it was probably those fine tuned instincts that had come to bite them in the ass. Shiori felt trustworthy, polite and kind hearted to them, which made them drop their guards and relax more than even normal civilians would around her. Which led to the unfortunate problem that Shiori and her staff collected more information about the ninja in Konoha than probably any foreign spy network did. And this was a bad, bad situation! Possessing too much information was DANGEROUS in this world! Especially for a civilian!

For that reason Shiori had insisted on training her personnel so strictly in being discreet and had the privacy seals installed on every table in her restaurant, even if they had been ridiculously expensive, they were probably what saved her and her employees from being either kidnapped or assassinated for possessing too much information.

Shiori breathed in deeply and released the air through her slightly open mouth while she felt how her heartbeat was slowly returning to normal. This small trip down memory lane had helped her calm herself. With her next deep breath Shiori opened her eyes and slowly continued her way in the direction of her home.
She was stupid she grumbled to herself, she had KNOWN that this would be the inevitable outcome of her actions, of her marriage. To freak out now was stupid and immature.

The closer the black haired civilian came to her home the faster her heart started to beat once more, but this time it wasn't fear and anxiousness, no it was a kind of wary excitement that thrummed through her body. Shiori bit her lip and couldn't suppress the gleeful giggle that escaped her; she was curious what Kakashi would say about her news. The thought of her husband let her reminisce once more.

During their honeymoon Shiori had asked Kakashi if he wanted children in one of the few breaks between bouts of sex. Her new husband had stilled at that and hadn't answered for quite some time.

What followed was not the light teasing she thought she would receive when she asked about this topic, instead Kakashi had told her the ugly truth about the practice of kidnapping children with bloodlines or famous parents and that it happened a lot more often than advertised to the civilians. He told her how even big clans like the Hyuuga had trouble preventing these attacks, hence the caged bird seal. And that no matter what he did, he couldn't promise her that it wouldn't happen to them.

The truth and the consequences had led to Shiori becoming very still and silent while she tried to work through this news, a part of her had screamed no, no, no, no the whole time and wanted to refuse to even consider having children if they would just be taken away from her in such a way. A second voice had agreed while it had insidiously whispered about the upcoming war and how would she a weak little civilian defend her children against people like the Akatsuki and Madara? Shiori had shuddered at this desperately and was about to tell Kakashi that she didn't want any children when she had looked up into the single dark eye that looked so serious and lost at the same moment. She had taken in the worry that was visible inside it and the unspoken screams of 'Don't leave me, don't leave me, I'll do whatever you want, don't leave me' that it seemed to convey. The insecurities of her new husband had burned her like the hottest fire, Kakashi and she were no longer just separate individuals. How could she just make up her mind about such a big thing alone and just decide without asking him what he was thinking about this?

Wordless she had drawn him into her arms and the two had made love without any further words about this topic. Instead Kakashi had been infinitely gentle with her for the rest of the day while Shiori's thoughts returned to the topic of possible children again and again. Sometime in the middle of the night when she had awoken because Kakashi had pressed her a bit too hard to him to be comfortable Shiori had come to a decision.

This was her life and damn it she wanted children, she wanted these children with Kakashi and no one else.

Yes the risk of her babies being kidnapped was higher because Kakashi was who he was but at the same time it was also significantly lower because only stupid and suicidal people would want to face off against a pissed off elite shinobi. Furthermore, the two of them had been able to keep their relationship and wedding a secret and they would also be able to keep their family a secret so long as they were vulnerable and they had not enough additional protection. Shiori knew that they would just have to make it work and have more than a few contingency plans on the side just in case but she really wanted to give it a try, having her own children had always been a wish from her.

On the next morning the black haired civilian had asked Kakashi again if he wanted children, he had stilled again before after an unbelievingly long moment he had nodded nearly unnoticeable. Shiori hadn't been able to stop a few tears from running down her cheeks because of the relief and strangely enough heartbreak. Why was she heartbroken over Kakashi's confession? Shiori didn't know so instead she pulled herself together and then told her husband that she would stop taking the contraception pills the next day.

What had followed had been mind blowing sex which had continued for the rest of the day; both had been able to feel the desperation and insatiable need of the other and had indulged their partner.

When they were more clear headed again they agreed to let nature run its course and not actively try to conceive, even though Shiori had dryly commented that with their sex drive it would inevitable happen sooner rather than later, as an answer Kakashi had just chuckled and kissed her again silently agreeing with her.

So here she was. Having just returned from her biannual check up at the gynecologist with the knowledge that she was about three weeks along. Shiori swallowed nervously while she remembered her appointment.

"Hhm..oh!" Himawatari-sensei murmured when she finished with the diagnostic jutsu over Shiori's womb.

"Himawatari-sensei?" Shiori asked slightly confused.

The retired kunoichi looked neutrally at the black haired woman when she said, "Inoue-san, it seems as if you are pregnant."

Shiori's eyes went big and she was unable to say anything for a moment before she asked rushed, "A-are you sure?"

"Yes, you are about three weeks along," the doctors voice was still completely neutral.

Shiori didn't notice that, her mind was trying to wrap itself around the fact that she was pregnant, that she was going to be a mother. Without realizing her eyes went soft and a slow and gently smile appeared on her face.

"I take it, these are no unwelcome news?" a now smiling Himawatari-sensei said.

"No, this is fine." Shiori then laughed somewhat overwhelmed, "It's better than fine! I can't believe it, that was quick."

"Oh, have you been actively trying to conceive?" the doctor now asked curiously.

"Not directly, my partner and I agreed to let nature run its course and I stopped taking the pill about two months ago. I thought it would take longer," Shiori explained truthfully.

Himawatari-sensei now looked knowingly at the civilian in front of her. "The father is a shinobi isn't he?"

"Yes…how? Shiori asked confused.

"Because they circulate and work with their chakra constantly they are nearly three times as fertile as civilian men. So with the speed of the conception I'm taking a wild guess and say your partner is at least a Tokubetsu Jounin," answered a still smiling Himawatari-sensei.

Shiori just nodded flabbergasted, she was quite surprised that Himawatari-sensei could find out so much about her husband with just a conception date and the date when she stopped taking her pills.

The elder woman was glad that Inoue-san didn't want an abortion like most unmarried civilians. Well okay, Himawatari Etsuko couldn't be sure about her marital status anymore if the father of the child was a shinobi. Most of her active colleagues were paranoid about their loved ones and that with a good reason. Furthermore, Etsuko was suspecting that Inoue-san's partner was quite high up in the food chain. She had stretched the truth somewhat, to have conceived in the first month after the pill had been stopped meant that the father had to be somewhere close to Kage- level chakra wise and there weren't that much powerful shinobi in Inoue-san's age range. It also meant that she would have to have a careful eye on the pregnancy. The chakra system of the baby would develop a lot sooner than that of a child of a civilian or a chunin. In addition because Inoue-san was a civilian she would feel the drainage a lot stronger than a kunoichi or academy drop out, so it would probably be for the best to start prescribing chakra increasing supplements as early as possible.

The doctor then explained exactly that to her patient, "Because you are a civilian I will also prescribe you some chakra supplements beside the normal prenatal ones to alleviate the drain you will feel, this will help you during your pregnancy, especially during the first few months while the chakra system develops."

Now Shiori was concerned. "Could there be complications?"

"It's a slightly higher risk pregnancy then a normal one but you don't have to worry Inoue-san, neither you nor the child will be harmed as long as you take your prescriptions and sustain your good health. Are there any other question that I can answer for you?" the gynecologist asked kindly.

After a moment of thought Shiori shook her head and said, "Not at the moment, thank you."

"Very well. I don't think that I have to tell you that alcohol is a no go?... Good, please also be careful about your coffee and green tea intake, it can be harmful in too big amounts," Etsuko-sensei said.

"Oh, Himawatari-sensei…I…uhm I mean what about sex?" Shiori blushed while she asked.

"Don't worry Inoue-san, the baby won't be harmed during intercourse, at least not during the first two trimester, later you may have to abstain shortly before the birth because of one reason or another but don't worry about it now, we will talk about the details at your next appointment. Please schedule it for six weeks from now before you leave," Himawatari-sensei reassured her before handing her a small container not unlike Genma's and explained the dosage to her, Shiori would have to stock up on it in two weeks.

So here she was now preparing dinner and frantically trying to find the right words to tell Kakashi about the pregnancy. She still had no idea what to say when Kakashi finally arrived.

Said shinobi was confused about her jittery behavior but didn't say anything for the time being. Instead he continued his routine and showered, Shiori would probably tell him what was bothering her on her own and if she didn't he would just have to seduce it out of her. His last thought brought a slightly predatory smile to his face while he dried off the last of the water on his body and quickly changed for dinner.

When Kakashi returned in the living room he raised an eyebrow, Shiori was looking absent minded out of the window while she cleaned the same pot she had been doing when he had walked in some fifteen minutes ago. Amused over her obvious distraction, the silver haired Jounin walked silently closer and hugged her from behind. Predictably Shiori jumped and let the pot drop; with his quick reflexes Kakashi saved the now very clean cooking utensil from more abuse and pulled it away from the sink.

"So," he drawled, while he gently kissed along her ear, "is there something you want to tell me?"

"Hhm, yes your surprise attacks will have to stop," Shiori finally said when her heart stopped beating so frantically, she then relaxed and leaned against her husband's front.

"Oh really?" Kakashi murmured while he caressed her sides and continued his kisses down the back of her neck.

"Yes. It isn't very nice to scare pregnant women," Shiori said nonchalantly while she had a hard time to keep the grin out of her voice.

Kakashi's movements froze along with his brain. Did she just?

With a careful but firm movement he turned her around so that she was trapped between him and the kitchen sink. The grin that she wore turned into a softer smile that lit her whole face. Yes she apparently did just tell him she was pregnant. With a desperate urgency Kakashi attacked her mouth while his arms came around her in a possessive/protective embrace. How was that when he thought he couldn't be happier, she turned around and did something that made him fall in love with her even more.

Shiori was pregnant! They were going to have a child! He was going to be a father! The thought nearly brought him to his knees. With careful movements Kakashi picked his wife up and carried her over to the couch where he let her down gently while he nearly hesitantly stroked over the still flat stomach and her tiny waist.

"We are going to have a child," Kakashi finally vocalized his wonder.

Shiori just nodded in joy while she stretched out on the coach and pulled Kakashi down on her. She wound her arms around his neck and slowly kissed him again, the black haired civilian could see the wonder and disbelief in Kakashi's face while he stared at her as if she was a miracle.

"You are going to be a dad," Shiori whispered nearly tonelessly while she tugged his head against her collarbone and so she could feel it when Kakashi's breath hitched and he tightened his grip on her shoulders.

The two lay like this for quite some time when Shiori's stomach protested for food. Both of Hatakes chuckled amused while they got up and moved into the kitchen. Shiori reheated the food while her silver haired husband quickly set the table, while they ate Shiori could feel how Kakashi's eyes never even strayed once away from her face.

"How far along are you?" Kakashi couldn't help but ask curiously.

"Just about three weeks. Apparently you ninja really have super sperm," Shiori joked while she put the dishes in the sink.

"Hhm, really now," Kakashi said amused while he stroked over Shiori's back, he hadn't been able to remove his hands from her since dinner.

"Uhuh." Shiori giggled while she moved her behind against Kakashi's half hard erection, she received a moan as an answer.

"Shiori, we probably shouldn't," groaned Kakashi.

"Himawatari-sensei said that sex is totally fine during the first two trimesters, after that we will have to be a bit more careful," Shiori reassured him.

As an answer Kakashi removed the dish from her hands and in the next moment she was lying on their bed with Kakashi making quick work of both their clothes.

Afterwards when Shiori had fallen into a deep sleep Kakashi lay awake for quite some time and watched her in the light of the nearly full moon. Her body still looked deceivingly normal but in a few months her pregnancy would be plain to see and to be honest Kakashi couldn't wait. Possessively he put an arm around her naked middle and pulled her closer. Both of them had been insatiable at that evening and only after Shiori had nearly lost consciousness after her fourth orgasm had Kakashi relented and let her sleep.

Breathing in deeply, Kakashi suddenly became more alert, was that…of course, he was an idiot. Her scent had already been changing for the last three weeks and apparently he had unconsciously already noticed the change. That was probably why he had taken Shiori three to four times a day in the last ten days, only yesterday she had jokingly asked if he was going into heat. Well now they knew that he wasn't, instead his primal side had been staking his claim over her and their pup.

Kakashi sighed contently while he thought darkly amused about his canine instincts. He would probably be an overbearing and horny bastard in the next eight months, his lips twitched, mah Shiori was strong, his wife would learn to deal with it.