Important Research Part Two

Temari stared at the painting that seemed so lifelike as if to move, it was of a deer a common site around the Nara compound. It was relaxing looking at the features of this majestic animal. Temari knew a lot more about Nara culture as soon as they learned she was in the family way. It was expected of her to pass on traditions to the next generation.

Today was a warm and mild day compared to the recent cold weather they had been experiencing. For whatever reason Temari felt more energetic than ever. She wanted to keep busy which was at odds with her husband. It was a good thing that they were still planning on having a party and Gaara was heading their way. Temari could plan for a visit as well as keep up the pace of this great party they were going to throw.

Shikamaru woke from his nap to find Temari staring at a painting. It wasn't unusual behavior so he ignored it and went to kiss her in a greeting.

"Looks alive," Temari said.

"That painting has been up there for more than a year and you are just now noticing it," Shikamaru asked.

"Something is different about today," Temari grinned.

"I hope for the good," Shikamaru said.

"Yes it is good. I feel it Shikamaru it is time to have our baby," Temari said.

"What like contractions," Shikamaru asked his heart started to race all of a sudden.

"It is just like they talked about, I am pretty sure my water just broke," Temari said calmly.

"We have to move you to the hospital," Shikamaru said a lot calmer than he felt.

"I know I am going," Temari said and walked past the fumbling Shikamaru. Her bags were pre-packed and everything was ready to go. It looked like the party was going to have to wait until after her child's birth.

Shikamaru nodded and went on as planned. This was all in the plans. Sasuke was on the move now and all the others were on the move too so this was near perfect timing for his child to be born. They would have the child now and be here for the Kage summit.

"Shikamaru I want you to give this medicine to Sakura for when the time is right she will know what to do with it," Temari said.

"Twilight Sleep," Shikamaru read with question in his voice. This was not in the plan this was something he didn't like.

"It will help with the worst of my contractions. I don't want to remember the pain. I only want to best memories when I hold our child in my arms for the first time," Temari said.

"I will do what you wish," Shikamaru said he had no question that it was safe because she would not put herself through something like that if it were not so he let it slide.

000

The hospital room was a buzz with energy. Sakura was a little surprised that they still chose this venue for Shikamaru and Temari to have their child given what happened in recent weeks.

"So it is time for everyone to go so sorry you can all wait in the waiting room only so many people can be here for the delivery," Sakura said.

"Sakura Temari asked me to give you these for when the time is right," Shikamaru said handing the bottle.

"Scopolamine," Sakura said with question to her voice.

"She doesn't want to remember the tough part of labor," Shikamaru said.

"How did she get these? I feel a little uneasy using drugs like this from a patient," Sakura said.

"Perhaps we should wait and see how bad the contractions get. But I am only keeping my word to give you those pills and keep her wishes," Shikamaru said.

"I know Shikamaru let's take things one step at a time and I will talk to her about her fears," Sakura said.

000

Temari stared at the machines around the room they were almost alive like the picture of the deer but in another way. There were tanks and vials with various medicines and typical hospital equipment. This was where she would bring life into the world. Here she lay with an ordinary peach gown on.

The next thing she knew nine hours had passed and the arrival of a boy with dark hair had finally come making everyone's day. They lay him on her chest his dark hair mirrored Shikamaru's so much so she was positive that her features must be all over his face. When his eyes opened she could tell he came from a green-eyed family. Temari and her brother's all had green eyes too.

The baby was adorable and so sleepy. Temari felt nothing but happiness radiating from her. She knew her brother was nearby and he was going to be overjoyed that she had made it through alright and that this beautiful strong healthy boy was born into the family. It made her wonder to herself when her brothers would step it up and have children.

"He is definitely worth all the trouble," Shikamaru said looking into his newborns calm face.

"He's no trouble at all. He's perfect," Temari said.

"Don't let him fool you pretty soon you'll see just how troublesome he can be," Shikamaru said.

"My little bundle of noodles you aren't trouble are you…no you're not not at all…he he," Temari laughed and cooed at the infant.

"You're right not now he's no trouble at all," Shikamaru said and smiled at the sight of his wife making goofy faces at their newborn son.

000

All the medical knowledge Sakura had she couldn't save every unborn child. The only thing that kept her going on at this point was the endless research and the cases where the child was perfectly fine like Temari and Shikamaru. The cases she studied now were limited to women in Konohagakure. All their allied villages reported normal instances of pregnancy to miscarriage ratios for now.

Ino had been taken away from the village to protect her child. Karin only recently admitted to feeling the jutsu's affects. Karin had also left the village but for other reasons. It seemed counterintuitive to think that home was a hostile environment for a pregnant woman.

Right now they were dealing with four different cases that seemed to be connected. One was the nightmare jutsu. Second they were investigating the town on the outskirts of Kusagakure. Third they ran across Yume from the Kusagakure missions and her connection to Kirigakure. Finally there was a body switching case from the past. The different cases were starting to connect.

In everything uncovered it made Sakura pause when she learned more about Sasuke's mission. Danzou's loyalists were the very people responsible for Sasuke's departure to Otogakure. That was an entirely different issue that just wasn't the focus of the village at the moment.

For Sakura it was too late so she stayed in the village working to help her friends at the very least. Sakura had a lot of research on Karin but nothing conclusive could be found to help the situation. Ino reported feeling better than she had in a longtime. Ino was being monitored and so far the cure seemed to be going into hiding.

Pouring over the data Sakura concentrated on coming up with some new jutsu to counteract the attackers. If she could somehow block the stress the women experienced she was sure more babies could be saved.

Naruto made his way into the lab. Sakura looked up and weakly greeted him.

"I wish there were something I could do," Naruto said and kissed the top of her head the scent of her shampoo wafted in his nose a pleasant reminder of how close he was to her.

Sakura continued to concentrate on the notes. They started to blur in her vision. Naruto wrapped his arms around her and held her. She couldn't speak for fear of crying instead she tried to comfort him back hugging his arms.

Naruto knew not to push. Sakura told him once, "Do what you can." It was a motto for him in the past few weeks as she grieved. He brought her food, held her and the hardest of all left her alone when she needed it. It worried him tremendously that she could be a victim as well but she wouldn't take herself off the case.

Sakura was a little upset that she had to stop. Stopping meant the nightmares would return. She wiped her face with her hands and turned attempting as smile.

"I'm sorry," she apologized saying, "I know I'm not helping anything being like this."

She couldn't talk anymore about it as she choked back tears. She knew part of the problem was her physical health. Hormones were making her super emotional and a wreck. She had to force herself to breathe in a deep breath just so she wouldn't cry again.

Naruto knowingly pulled her close again. She buried her face in his chest and cried again.

"No one is going to tell you how to grieve. Don't apologize for it. This is your personal life they are attacking and has nothing to do with Shinobi code. What is happening in the village is incomprehensible. You are not weak here the ones who are doing this are cowards hiding away…we'll never understand," Naruto said.

The anger in his voice sobered her up a little. She sat back down in the chair and Naruto took the opposite chair. The enemy was attacking the future of the village. That went against everything Naruto fought to preserve.

"So how are we doing otherwise…how is our child," he asked.

"We don't have to talk about this," she said. Tired of discussing the nightmares she avoided the question. But he had the right to know about the baby so she added, "The baby is fine. I'm healthy but just a little tired is all."

"Will you come home," he asked wishing she would work less.

"Don't worry so much about me. This is important work," she answered.

"Not if you stop taking care of yourself," he said.

Sakura wasn't eating and Naruto noticed the food he brought her earlier going to waste on the table. Truthfully she had trouble eating but it wasn't like she hadn't tried to nurture her growing baby. Her baby was just a picky eater she told herself.

"I heard from the other researchers that you are taking on the project alone," he said when she remained silent.

"I had to," she answered.

"I heard that you sent away any help. That is not healthy. Another perspective could unlock the things you can't see alone," he said.

Sakura got up and started cleaning up her uneaten dinner or was it lunch, she thought. He was right she couldn't go on like this. For her own sanity she had to get away from the lab. She looked at the clock.

"Let's go home," she said.

"These guys outside the door are assigned a close watch of the lab results. If you like, the researchers you sent away will bring a new set of eyes to the project," he said.

"You planned this out," she said arching her eyebrow.

"I missed you. This is a selfish move on my part," he said.

"That's fine then let them study the project all they want," she said.

"This can't separate us. It can't change us. Promise me that this won't separate us," he said.

"It is fine I would love them to look," she said.

"That's not what I meant," he said. His pleading eyes demanded a response.

She looked him in the eyes and said, "Nothing could. I promise you."

Her hand rested on his cheeks and he covered her hands bringing them to his lips in a devoted kiss. Without speaking his motions told her his greatest fear.

"I didn't mean for you ever feel like that," she apologized.

"Thank you," he whispered as she held him. The words didn't seem directed at anyone in particular and she wondered if he was sending up a prayer of some sort.

He released her and they split up to give final instructions to their understudies. Leaving the lab together Sakura felt a lot better. The fresh night air felt good to breathe. It was time to move on once again.