[Thanks for reading Chapter 1 This is Chapter 2. In this story Kyouko is an OC not a major character, also Miyako is an OC I won't spoil it for you you will see...]

Visitors for Awhile

Temari left the Ramen shop Ichiraku's and bundled up against the cold. She heard about Ino and thought it would be a good idea to stop by to talk to her. They weren't always the closest of friends in the past. Now they were considered the best of friends so she just had to catch up with her friend who was in the hospital.

Sunagakure was a close ally of Konohagakure. Temari stopped in Konoha many times in the past. After the war her visits to Konoha became much more frequent. She rekindled her friendship with Shikamaru easily. After many days spent at Ichiraku and meetings with Shikamaru's friend Naruto she got to know everyone fairly well.

When Shikamaru tried to court Temari, Ino often stopped by to talk to Temari. Those talks turned into a deeper friendship. Ino was always vague but Temari knew it was Sai she was talking about.

Naruto never needed to beg for company at Ichiraku's and Temari didn't mind spending time with her newfound friends. So it was that Temari left Naruto to visit a friend.

At the hospital Kaori finished filling out her chart and waved to Temari. Now that Temari married a Konoha Shinobi she couldn't avoid this place and even the nurses recognized her.

"How is she," Temari asked the nurse.

"She's doing well right now. She will be sleeping soon because of the herbal remedy we gave her but you can visit for a while I suppose," Kaori smiled and went back to working.

"Thank you," Temari said and headed to the room.

As she came into the room she didn't know what she would say to Ino. She didn't know what had happened and that bothered her more than anything.

"Hey," Ino said trying to force her eyes open.

"Don't try to stay awake. I heard about everything," Temari said quickly.

"This herbal stuff is really working," Ino said and yawned.

"That's good try not to worry you're in really good hands here at this hospital and none of your friends would let anything happen to you," Temari said taking a seat.

"Thanks," Ino replied.

"If I can't visit my friend in the hospital what kind of friend am I," Temari stated.

"Not just that. You married my teammate and best friend. You're the glue," Ino said.

"I don't know about that," Temari said.

"Well I do know and I say you are the…" Ino trailed off.

"I should go you sound like your half asleep already," Temari said.

"Nonsense you just got here you can't go. I'll admit it I am getting a little sleepy but I'm still scared," Ino admitted.

"Well get some sleep and take your mind off things. We will not allow anything to happen to you or your child," Temari said.

Shikamaru came in taking a seat next to Temari. When he learned that Temari was at the hospital he figured she might be having his child. He was relieved to know that he hadn't missed a thing but worried nonetheless about his friend.

"I'm really not used to all this attention," Ino complained.

"Sorry I really thought it was time," Shikamaru said patting Temari's belly.

"No problem," Ino replied and quickly added with a pat on her own belly, "Hopefully soon you'll get to evaluate these two in the Chuunin exams."

This year the Chuunin exams were postponed and he hadn't even begun to picture his own child participating.

Something in Ino's expression seemed to change from jovial to worry and she said, "If the little guy even makes it that is."

"We can tell your nervous about the danger but remember what we talked about," Temari said.

"Thank you," Ino said and yawned.

The three of them talked for a while about any topics unrelated to the nightmares that Ino was having. It was nice to laugh and talk normally for a while but the constant reminder they were in the hospital got on everyone's nerves.

When Ino did describe the snakes and the part of the nightmare when her child gets taken away a chill went down Temari's back. She wasn't afraid but something in her dreaded whatever was to come. She had seen many strange things in the last war and she never wanted to see the nightmares Ino spoke of come true.

"Well I better go I promised to help out my brother in the busy hour to come," Temari said.

Shikamaru started to complain that Suna could handle things without her but thought the better of it. Temari made it clear that she was not going to abandon Gaara.

"Don't worry about it you guys go on home," Ino said drowsily.

"Sakura said she would be by later on," Shikamaru spoke up he had seen the Kunoichi on his way here and a rather comical exchanged happened between them when she had no information on Temari going into labor.

"Goodnight," Ino said.

"Goodnight," Temari echoed and stood up to leave. If Orochimaru posed a threat to the village Temari figured her brother should know about it as soon as possible. With that thought on her mind she left the hospital room.

Shikamaru followed shortly after her. It took only a moment before he recognized the look on his wife's face.

"I know what you are thinking," Shikamaru said.

"If it is Orochimaru we should inform Gaara immediately."

"You know we will for obvious reasons. But I think it is too quick to make the mistake of nailing him with this attack."

"Attack, so you think this is really an attack on the village."

"Yes I do," Shikamaru said as a matter of fact. He was certain it wasn't an emotional reaction to this being an attack on his friend and team member. He glanced at Temari as they walked out the hospital.

"I think I know what you are thinking as well. Trust me I can handle myself. I was just wondering why the target was the Yamanaka clan. So far I can't see any signs that it is an attack on the village as a whole."

"Any attack on-

"Yes but don't jump to conclusions so readily," Temari said.

Shikamaru let it drop. His wife hardly needed a speech on camaraderie. Thinking like he was now was more of a Naruto thing to do and far too troublesome. He could relate to what was going on with Ino and Sai because at any moment he would be a parent and he hoped the world would stay at peace but he knew all manner of trouble awaited them.

000

The next day true to her word Sakura stopped by the hospital. As a medic-nin she knew right away that nothing was physically wrong with Ino. The baby could suffer from all the stress but it looked good for now.

Looking quickly over her charts she wondered how Sai was handling the mission. He was professional and had tremendous focus like Sasuke but they were all human.

Her mind wandered to thoughts of Kurenai and the last time she saw Asuma alive. The things she said haunted her now and she had to push the thoughts back. Knowing full well that she wouldn't be able to function with thoughts like that.

Ino was awake staring out at the window. Sakura took the seat next to the bed. She wasn't the doctor she was the friend right now.

"How are you holding up?"

Ino turned to face her and answered, "I am doing quite well actually. I was thinking of what to name the baby."

"Any names," Sakura asked.

"I don't want to do it alone but I have a plan to pick the first thing that comes to my mind when I see him…or maybe her," Ino said. Her family had a tradition of naming their children Ino like she was named after her father Inoichi but she left that fact out of her conversation with Sakura.

"Do you want to know what the baby is," Sakura asked surprised she hadn't found out already given her inquisitive nature.

"Not at all that's the kind of surprise I want to keep a surprise. I keep flooding my mind with these thoughts beautiful thoughts. I can see a baby boy with black hair looking just like his father with that look on his face," Ino said making a face that did seem a lot like Sai.

"If it's a girl she may have your blonde hair as well," Sakura reasoned.

"Maybe she'll have his eyes. She'll be a great Kunoichi of Konoha," Ino beamed.

"Don't rush things. You are hardly showing yet- Oh come on in," Sakura called out to the person knocking on the door to the room.

Karin came in the room and joined the two.

"I heard what happened. Sasuke told me you were doing fine. I had to see that you were alright for myself," Karin said.

"You shouldn't have snuck into the village hospital," Ino said and pulled herself up to sit on the bed. She was beginning to feel like someone special with all the visitors who kept checking in on her. Although it troubled her that she hadn't really seen Sasuke at all yet he told Karin that she was "doing fine."

"Like I said I wanted to see you for myself," Karin said tired of being left in the dark so much about her friends. These two were amongst her closest friend in the world right now and she didn't want distance between the friendships she forged.

"You understand it isn't up to us," Sakura said.

"Yes I know. I can't promise to go willingly if they come for me but for now this is just-

"A major breech in our security that we can't let pass," Sakura argued.

"Relax Sakura it is just a matter of paperwork and convincing the right people. Besides Karin is important to the village now," Ino said.

"We can't just break the rules," Sakura argued again.

"Would you prefer it if I left," Karin asked.

"No," Ino said rolling her eyes at Sakura, "You came out of concern for me and that is fine. Sakura is right too. You shouldn't come into the village whenever you want. Anyway thank you."

"I am your friend am I not," Karin asked.

"Exactly why we should just drop the subject," Sakura relented and scribbled something down on a pad of paper. She tore off the top piece of paper and handed it to the redhead.

"What's this," Karin questioned.

"I spend a lot of time helping Tsunade-sama and splitting my time between missions and the hospital," Sakura said as she felt the need to share her story. The hospital was expanding and growing thanks to Tsunade's legacy.

Karin quickly read the paper and asked, "So what is this for?"

"A prescription," Sakura answered.

"I can see that," Karin said passing the paper to Ino so she could read it.

"I spend so much time between hospital and missions that I've seen it all. For example I know that if someone is in need of medical care it is our duty at this hospital to treat everyone who walks through the door. So we treated you and this is your proof," Sakura said.

"Way to bend the rules forehead," Ino said passing the paper back to Karin.

"It isn't really necessary for you to put your reputation and career on the line for me," Karin argued.

"I am helping a friend of course it is necessary," Sakura said her green eyes glossing over with tears.

"Don't cry about it," Karin said.

"I'm not crying…I don't know what this is," Sakura said swiping at her eyes.

"Stop or you'll make me cry," Ino said shaking her head.

"This schedule is so crazy I don't know how people have the time to get anything done," Sakura said placing a chart on the wall with a frown.

"I have plenty of time," Karin said.

"In a lot of ways I am very lucky to have the luxury of time," Ino echoed.

"But all of them are very busy working. I can barely manage to take Sasuke's attention away from all his duties," Karin added.

"Naruto is the same. He pours all his energy into this Shinobi lifestyle. When we see each other we never want to let go of each other. I do want more. I see all these couples come though here and I know they are the types that have children. I want to have his child. I picture the same things you do at times. Every time I see his stupid looks; looks he gives only me I want his children," Sakura said looking out the window.

"Not very complicated to get knocked up and if those couples are the only 'type' to have children what is it that I am I doing," Ino threw up her hands, "And you! Out of everyone Sasuke hardly seems like that type who doesn't know how to get a girl pregnant!"

Karin stammered thinking of her child, "I haven't even thought of having more children. You make me laugh. I appreciate it but I was supposed to give you support."

"You did give her support," Sakura said. Seeing how well Kurenai was doing with raising Mirai bolstered everyone's hopes. More children than ever were being born in the peace that followed the war as many couples had less stress put on them worrying about world affairs.

"How is Miyako-chan," Ino asked.

"Miyako?"

"Last time I saw her she was so beautiful you must be so proud," Sakura added.

"She's fine," Karin answered a bit unsure given the fact that she was currently in the care of her comrade Suigetsu.

"Don't worry Kyouko is probably there to keep that baka Suigetsu in check," Ino said.

"Yeah you guessed right. I left my daughter with him and I feel like a terrible mother right about now," Karin said.

"I'm sure they are fine. Like Ino said Kyouko is a good person to keep Suigetsu in check," Sakura said.

"I know you want to ask me about Orochimaru," Karin said looking away out the window.

"Naruto said you didn't know anything," Sakura said.

"I should get going," Karin said. It had been so long since she spoke to or seen her one time mentor. Her life was different now and her focus was centered on raising Miyako.

"Take care," Ino said standing up, "you're going to be alright."

"You're planning on going where," Sakura asked.

"I'm really truly craving more than this hospital food," Ino answered.

"I know how you feel," Karin laughed.

"I'll see what I can do," Sakura said empathetically leading Ino to sit back in bed.

After Karin excused herself Sakura made her way to the nurses' station to use the phone there. Ino grudgingly agreed to stay in bed rest.

000