When Sakura returned to the village after her mission, the little bit of seed she'd not noticed had already taken root inside of her and conceived a child, so when the rosette walked into her home, she found Gaara along with Kankuro and Temari sat visiting with Tenten, Neji and Kiba.
Though upon catching a whiff of her scent the Inuzuka went silent, eyes growing wide "Inuzuka is something wrong" Neji frowned at the man's uncharacteristic silence, until Sakura rounded the corner into the living room, but he still failed to see what was so shocking about the pinkette's return.
"Excuse me for a minute, I know you probably want to talk to Tenten but could we you know, bedroom" Kiba stood after transferring his twins to their mother, before directing Sakura to her room, who looked worried that something had happened.
Unfortunately, what she got was vastly different "Did you know that you're pregnant Sakura, just what kind of mission did you go on" the Inuzuka blurted once the room was sound proofed from any eavesdroppers, when she looked at him in horror, he realized she hadn't known.
"I swear I made absolutely sure that none got in me, so how...damn it, this is a mess that I don't need" Sakura sighed, sinking down onto her bed, looking worn out and Kiba sat next to her patting her back gently, when he offered to send Tenten in she nodded gratefully.
So Kiba left and a few minutes later her wife replaced him "Everything alright Sakura, Kiba said that it was important, nothing happened on your mission did it, was he awful or something" Tenten asked, trying to get a laugh out of her wife.
But she shook her head "No Tenten, apparently Lord Raikage is extremely potent and even a tiny, miniscule amount was enough, despite doing everything I could to prevent it" Sakura grimaced, watching Tenten and she knew the moment her weapons mistress caught on to what she was saying.
"Your pregnant with the 5th Raikage's child, what are you going to do, terminate the pregnancy..." Tenten gasped out loud, feeling awful even as she suggested the idea, though Sakura shook her head, because there was no way she would ever get rid of a child growing inside of her.
Even if that baby happened to be the child of a powerful man in Kumogakure "The only thing I can do is write and hope for the best, for now I need to get out there and greet our kids" Sakura winced, before standing, Kiba eyed her warily but when she didn't say anything, kept his own silence on the matter.
As Sakura picked up Saori, Kyoka and Kyota who all squealed at the attention they received as their other momma bestowed affection onto all three toddlers "So Sakura what kind of mission were you on" Kankuro grinned, wanting to get the details.
"Classified Kankuro, also how are you Gaara, the trip here wasn't difficult was it" Sakura answered calmly, then turned her gaze on her daughter's father, Kankuro grumbled a little bit until Temari whacked him on the back of the head.
While Gaara shook his head "My trip here was fine Sakura, no need to worry yourself about it alright and I am also well, thank you for asking" Gaara explained calmly, wondering about the strangeness of earlier, before deciding that it wasn't his job to know all of Sakura's business.
He was content with doting on Saori whenever he came to visit mostly "What about you, you are alright Sakura, Kiba looked pretty disgruntled earlier and then Tenten went in to see you as well" Temari commented, hoping that nothing was seriously wrong.
"It has something to do with my recent mission, I can't give details until I speak to Tsunade-sama about the situation first, sorry Temari, but I am alright, I promise" Sakura assured in an honest tone that had everyone relaxing in relief, including Gaara.
Who stayed for a couple hours longer, doting on Saori as he did before leaving, prompting Sakura to disappear as well "Didn't I just see you a couple hours ago Sakura" Tsunade quirked a brow at the pink-haired woman when she stepped into her office for a second time that day.
And sat in the chair before her desk with a sigh "Apparently Raikage-sama is extremely potent, despite my every precaution" Sakura grimaced, hinting at something that could be bad for them in the long run as Tsunade caught on instantly.
"Your pregnant, already...are you sure, it would have only been a few days since then...Inuzuka could smell it then, well only thing we can do, write, I'll do that so you don't have to and I'll let you know what Darui says when he sends a return letter, for now don't tell anyone else" Tsunade instructed.
Sending her apprentice home, who waited for three days in fear of what would happen, she didn't want to cause a war or anything "Hey you okay" Tenten asked as they lay in bed on the third night since the rosette had returned from her seduction mission.
Probably the sole reason she hadn't broken down yet as she turned and let her wife's warmth calm her nerves "Yeah, it's just stressful waiting, which I know isn't good for the baby, ugh I just wish a letter would get here from the Raikage already" Sakura sighed.
Thankfully during breakfast, the following morning, she was summoned to the Hokage's office, Sakura quickly ate her morning meal then rushed off leaving clean-up to Tenten as she hurried to the Tower where Tsunade held out an opened letter to her upon arrival.
"Darui was well aware of the mission and henceforth relinquishes all rights to the unborn fetus growing in your womb, he has no desire to be a father at this time and gives you full custody when the child is born to avoid any problems arising between our countries" Tsunade explained.
Mostly letting Sakura read the letter "He didn't have to apologize, it wasn't his fault in the first place anyway" Sakura huffed, though relieved that this wouldn't cause a break in the alliance as Tsunade dismissed her with a wave of her hand and she hurried back home to Tenten.
Who was also relieved if not a little sad "Even if he doesn't wish to be a father right now, someday I bet Raikage-sama will get curious about this little one and come see him/her" Tenten remarked, placing a gentle hand over Sakura's still flat stomach.
Until the one growing in her womb decided to kick her bladder, making her rush to the bathroom before she had an accident "At least I get to tell people now" Sakura smiled, finally getting excited about her second pregnancy and the first person they told was Temari.
After running into her in the hospital lobby while making an appointment to get an ultrasound "Just what kind of mission did you go on Sakura" Temari gaped, having an idea, which was pretty much confirmed when Sakura leaned in and whispered it into her ear.
"I'll keep the identity of the father a secret for now though since he has no desire to be a part of this little one's life right now at least" Sakura confessed, deciding it was better to not reveal who her second child's biological father was.
Temari understood thankfully, watching the married couple wander off, probably to shop for new baby things until they ran into another of their friends, or rather the father of Tenten's current unborn child "Does that mean what I think" Neji asked with an apprehensive look on his face.
Most likely dreading the thought of being around two pregnant kunoichi that had violent tendencies "You don't have to worry Neji, Sakura is a total sweetheart while pregnant, unless you somehow manage to piss her off, she won't throw things at you like I do sometimes" Tenten laughed.
"So, who's the father, will he be involved like Kazekage-sama is" Neji questioned following the kunoichi back home now that their shopping was finished in order to spend time with Tenten and take care of anything she might need at home.
Imagine his surprise when the rosette shook her head "At least for now, the father is not involved, as to who it is, I'm keeping it a secret unless I absolutely have to tell someone" Sakura explained, glad when Neji didn't try to argue, meaning he was slowly learning as they reached home and went inside.
A couple hours later Kyoka, Kyota and Saori were returned to their mothers "Your telling people now...what changed" Kiba asked, when he learned that Neji now knew of Sakura's newest pregnancy, considering that he was the first to know and he'd seen how freaked out the pinkette was, it was sort of a surprise.
Though when the answer was given, he could understand "Well I hope someday that the guy does want to meet his kid, because that is seriously messed up" Kiba remarked, not able to imagine not being involved with his children who he adored.
"Yes, me to Kiba" Sakura hummed, bouncing Saori who erupted in a fit of cute little giggles, bringing smiles onto everyone's face, even Neji as he grew fond of the tiny red head, after staying a few hours, he left and returned home.
Before they all knew it however Sakura was two months along in her second pregnancy and Tenten was four months along "Are you sure you want her in the room with us Tenten" Neji frowned, confused when Sakura went to follow them into the room to find out what gender of baby she was having.
Gray orbs rolled upwards "Of course I want her in the room Neji, she is my wife and has every right to be there with me when we find out what we're having" Tenten snorted, holding tightly to the rosette's hand because she wasn't about to let Neji force her to make Sakura wait outside in the hall.
Neji quickly nodded in understanding, not about to argue as the three of them went into the room and he helped Tenten up on the bed "You ready to find out what you're having then" the medic questioned once the ultrasound machine was set up.
"Very much so" Tenten informed, looking excited as she turned to the screen where her child would be displayed as that cold goop was smeared on her bared stomach and the wand was moved around, a moment later the image of her womb could be seen as well as the babe within.
And though not an expert she was at least able to tell what gender her baby was, it was a boy, something that was a relief to her because it meant that the Hyūga's had nothing to complain about "Can you tell" Neji frowned when the medic kept moving the wand around.
Before pausing "It's a boy, congratulations you two" she finally announced in a dramatic tone, watching the couple share a happy look while the other kunoichi smiled, then stood once the cold gel was cleaned up, only to frown when the pinkette wrapped a careful arm around the brunette's waist.
While the man stood back allowing the interaction "Only 4 or so months to go, no offense Neji" Tenten exclaimed once they were outside the hospital after making an appointment for Sakura that would be in two months in order for her to find out what gender of baby she was having.
"None taken Tenten" Neji was quick to assure, now that things were alright between them, Kiba had seen fit to help him learn how to avoid setting off any triggers in the brunette carrying his son "Though I find myself curious as to what gender the child your carrying will be Sakura" he commented.
Changing the subject "Probably another girl is my guess, the morning sickness has been a total nightmare, and this baby feels extremely high" Sakura shrugged, she was the third best medic in the village after all, the position of her child in her womb was indicative of it being a girl.
"So, there are indicators" Neji rubbed his chin in thought "What makes the difference between a boy and a girl while in the womb then... if you don't mind explaining it to me" he questioned genuinely interested now as they walked back to the house together.
Where Kiba and Temari were within with the children, the blonde was about ready to give birth to her own child, so that was another thing to look forward to "Not all of them work, but let's see, Tenten has barely had any morning sickness if you recall, meanwhile it's been a constant for me" Sakura offered in answer.
"Agreed, the first 3 months were a total breeze for me, and I constantly craved salty foods, if I'm not wrong that's what you've been after as well to right Tenten" Temari chimed in, taking a moment to make sense of the rosette's statement, before figuring it out.
The Hyuga blinked at her in response "Sweet food for me, again that doesn't always indicate the gender of your unborn fetus, the tried and true way to find out what you're having is to wait until your four months and have an ultrasound done, but sometimes it can be tricky to, the baby could be uncooperative as well" Sakura explained.
Hoping that was enough as Neji sat in contemplative silence for a while, in the meantime Temari bid her farewells and hurried off to home, "Was it difficult during their pregnancy to find out the gender of both" Neji piped in again now that he'd given the previous conversation some thought.
"Kyoka and Kyota cooperated with the machine, but sometimes it won't always pick up on things, like take for example if one of them had been hiding behind the other, we would have never known Tenten was carrying twins until the day of their birth" Sakura answered calmly.
Completely horrifying Neji at the idea of having more than one child at a time, after seeing how mischievous Kiba's twins were, Tenten cracked up laughing at his expression "Sometimes though pregnancy is extremely hard on the body" the brunette said after a while.
Making the Hyuga tilt his head in confusion "With Saori, I was exhausted all the time and by the time I was in my final month, doing anything strenuous about caused me to pass out" Sakura admitted when Tenten didn't explain considering Kyoka and Kyota had demanded her attention right at that exact moment.
"Last question for now I think, what are you hoping for, and have you picked out any names, speaking of names, what do you think of Toge, Tenten" Neji inquired, curious as to what Sakura would wish to have and what she'd name them if they were either male or female.
Seeing that the conversation was getting interesting Tenten perked up again "Ooh yes that's a wonderful name I believe, and I want to hear as well Sakura" Tenten begged, looking to her wife pleadingly, hoping that she wouldn't make them wait until the day of the child's birth to find out possible names.
"Rion, I think if it's a girl and perhaps Taiki for a boy name, as for what I want, I'd be happy with either really, children are precious, and I'll love them whether it's a boy or a girl" Sakura admitted giving an extremely satisfactory answer as the three of them lapsed into silence.
Until another month had gone by on them, and by then Temari had, had her own little one, a boy that she and Shikamaru named Shikadai "I really have no idea how you did it, that was unpleasant" the blonde grimaced, trying to block out her labor.
Tenten winced "Yeah that's not fun, but like Kiba told me, what seems like so long ago, he's out now and you get to physically hold your child and love him unconditionally" the brunette smiled, missing her own kids at that precise moment, even as she rubbed her swollen belly with tenderness.
"You still want another one though don't you" Sakura accused with a laugh, earning a sheepish grin from Temari, who didn't deny the accusation, before flinching as the child growing in her womb kicked her and she had to rush off to the bathroom.
Leaving the two women to share sympathetic looks "At least you don't seem ungodly exhausted this time around so far" Tenten offered later on after her two-year-olds had been returned and they lay in bed with one another after a round of extracurricular activities.
Sakura nodded "Fair enough" she yawned, wishing she could spoon Tenten as she generally did, but being 3 months pregnant prevented that somewhat, eventually though they did manage to fall asleep, and the next day brought drama into their life yet again.
From none other than Sasuke, as he dragged Karin, who was pregnant yet again and three kids into the married kunoichi's house, and on their heels were the two elders of the village "As you can see, Sakura and Tenten are a bit unavailable" Sasuke growled.
Quite irritated about something, Sakura suspected what it was however as she leveled a glare on the elders "No" Sakura informed clearly, not intending to become a bloody broodmare for the Uchiha, nor would she let Tenten be dragged into it either.
Homura opened his mouth, but the rosette's glare intensified "I said no, not now, not ever, you don't get to dictate our lives Homura-sama and don't even think about going to Shishou to get her involved" Sakura snapped, glad that the kids were out right now.
The elder wilted in response, realizing there was nothing he or Koharu could say in order to convince the kunoichi to help with the restoration of the Uchiha clan "Sorry about that Sakura" Sasuke grimaced as he slumped onto the opposite couch.
Only to have his eldest child plopped into his lap "Yeah, sorry, they don't think we're having children fast enough and I'm starting to get tired of them telling me to pop out more kids" Karin sighed, holding her paternal twin boys, pregnant with her second daughter.
"Speaking of kids, where are yours" Sasuke craned his neck around, hoping to give Leiko something to do while they all chatted with one another, but he couldn't spot any of the children that belonged to Tenten or Sakura for some reason.
"Kiba has Kyoka and Kyota, something about possibly getting them set up with canine companions but he was unclear about that and Temari snagged Saori earlier for some Auntie/Niece/Cousin time" Tenten explained, leaning back on her couch to get comfortable.
Prompting her pink-haired wife to do the same "By the way, since when were you pregnant Sakura, I don't think I've heard anyone mentioning it" Karin frowned, eyeing the rosette's swollen belly, if she had to guess the other woman was only a few months along.
"Well, I've kind of kept this pregnancy on the down-low really, it was unplanned, and the father is not involved, so that's probably why Karin" Sakura confessed softly, picking up Leiko when the little red-head wandered over to her.
And Sasuke looked down at his lap in surprise "That's frightening, how on earth did I not notice her getting down" he grunted, a chill crawling down his spine, apparently, he was now going to have to start being extra vigilant if his kids were going to start practically disappearing on him even while holding them.
Karin bit back a grin "Don't worry Sasuke, she's fine, the house is child-proofed, how's about it Leiko-chan, do you want to go play with the toys over there" Sakura smiled, offering the perfect distraction to the two-year-old so they could continue talking uninterrupted.
Leiko let out an ear-splitting squeal just as the sound of the front door opening filled their ears and the three missing 2-year-olds entered the house "Lei-Lei" Kyota shouted upon seeing the other child and practically barreled into Leiko.
Who fell over from the impact and started giggling like mad, Kyota quickly joined, prompting the other two toddlers to start giggling as well "Goodness, they're in rare form aren't they, Temari had to take Shikadai to the hospital and I met her on the way up to the house" Kiba shook his head.
Upon witnessing the giggle-fit the children were engaging in and after some consideration the one-year-olds in Karin's lap soon joined the older kids until they were quietly playing with the toys "I hope Shikadai's alright" Sakura frowned, drawing her daughter's gaze.
Saori carefully stood and ambled over to her mother, who only noticed her after she gently tugged on the pinkette's pant leg "Mama okay" Saori asked when she had her mother's attention, only to be lifted and set in her mother's lap.
"Mama's alright sweetie, do you want to go back and play" Sakura smiled softly at her tender little one, Saori shook her head but leaned back carefully despite her insistence on staying, bringing smiles onto the faces of the other adults in the room as they resumed their conversation before going their separate ways.
Before they knew it however, it was time for Tenten to give birth and after having a slightly easier pregnancy with Rion, Sakura of course was attending the birth of her wife's third child "Push, almost, good job Tenten-san" the nurse praised.
As loud wailing filled the air from newborn Toge Hyuga, Tenten released the death grip she had on Neji's hand, while Sakura wiped the sweat from her forehead away, fifteen minutes later the little boy was returned to his mother and laid gently on her chest.
Where she helped him latch onto a nipple to have his first meal "He's beautiful" Neji whispered, having had a stronger stomach than Kiba, but the moment felt surreal, Sakura flashed him an amused smile "I mean, I didn't think it would be like that" Neji admitted.
"Just help us raise him with love and honor Neji, we'll get along swimmingly for life I promise" Sakura suggested, struggling to stand until the brunet came around and helped her into an upright position, now that Tenten was resting and headed home, leaving Neji to bond with his son alone.
Until everyone began bombarding the hospital in order to visit the newborn, including Hiashi, who couldn't be prouder of his nephew, while wishing Hizashi was there, Hinata and Hanabi cooed over their second cousin however, immediately in love with the little brunet.
A day later Kyota, Kyoka and Saori were introduced to their newest sibling "Now remember you three, you have to be gentle with your mom and sibling, he can't play with you just yet" Sakura reminded, alerting Tenten of her visitors.
The three toddlers were surprisingly well behaved upon entering the room, not that Tenten had to worry about Saori causing trouble, but her first born children were definitely surprising her as they carefully clambered up onto her hospital bed to peer at their sibling with wide eyes.
Little Saori used her mother as a perch however to eye the youngest member of their family, probably afraid to get close after the instructions from Sakura to be gentle "We're keeping him right Momma" Saori looked up at her mother hopefully.
Causing Neji to chuckle as he came back from wherever he'd gone "Most assuredly sweetling" Sakura assured trying not to squish her daughter who was utterly adorable as she nodded seriously in relief, while moving out of the way of Neji who gave Tenten a box from Yakiniku.
While accepting Toge from his mother, prompting Kyota and Kyoka to crowd around the brunet instead in order to remain close to their sibling while Tenten ate, grateful for the food until it was clear she needed to rest some more, which meant it was time to go home.
Kyoka and Kyota refused however to be parted from Tenten and Toge "I know it's hard, but your mom and brother need their rest okay, we can come back tomorrow" Sakura soothed, biting back the laugh even as the twins cried that they wanted to stay.
Eventually she managed to shepherd them from the hospital room and back to the house, where she got them settled down for the night along with Saori "Hey" Kiba greeted from the couch when Sakura trudged into the living room looking tired.
Managing three kids alone was hard enough, being pregnant at the same time made it more difficult unfortunately "Hey" Sakura hummed with a yawn, practically falling asleep, Kiba wisely remained quiet even as he covered the pinkette with a blanket and went around securing the house for the night.
Thankfully a few days later Tenten was given the all clear and allowed to come home with Toge, though after a few days of having their sibling home, Kyoka and Kyota began to realize that having a sibling meant that their mother had to split her attention between them.
And the one who got the most attention right now was Toge, "Whoa, whoa, whoa, what's going on" Kiba interrupted a full-blown temper tantrum from his twins one afternoon when the two wanted their mother's attention, but she was busy feeding Toge.
Sakura winced but pointed at the bedroom "Their use to having all of Tenten's attention on them so Kyoka and Kyota are finding it a bit difficult to adjust" the rosette explained once they were alone and Kiba rubbed his face with a heavy hand.
"Guess I need to take some time off missions then until they are adjusted to Toge being around ugh" Kiba groaned, exiting the room first and heading right back out into the village, missing the upset looks on his kids faces as he left without greeting them as he usually did.
Before the two could continue their tantrum, however, Kiba returned and scooped the two toddlers up into his arms "Dad's home and he's staying for a couple months, you'll get to see me every day until you're sick of me" Kiba announced.
And got squeals in response "Perhaps things will go back to normal after a couple of weeks" Tenten sighed in relief when Toge finished feeding and she managed to place him in his bassinet to nap, allowing her enough time to give her eldest children the attention they wanted.
It took three painstaking weeks to get the kids adjusted to having a baby around, by then however Sakura was beginning to suffer from extremely early labor pains until one morning after one such pain the rosette collapsed on the floor, holding her stomach.
Gaara who was visiting to see Saori was on his feet in less than a second and lifting Sakura to rush her to the hospital where hours later after nearly losing both the pinkette and unborn baby, little Rion Haruno was born at only 26 weeks, though Sakura was unconscious for the entire birth of her second child.
"She really doesn't handle pregnancy does she" Kankuro grimaced, just glad that both mother and child were alright as Saori cried into Gaara's robes for her momma, who didn't wake up for nearly 5 days, leaving the nurses to care for Rion in the meantime.
Tenten shook her head, cradling her own children close, while waiting impatiently for news that her wife was going to be alright and on the fifth day of waiting, Sakura finally woke "What happened, all I remember is an intense pain and then nothing" Sakura croaked.
Eyeing her weapons mistress from the bed in what she assumed was the hospital "You almost miscarried, don't worry Rion's alright, but it might be a while until she can come home" Tenten explained quietly just glad as she stood and clasped Sakura's hand in her own.
And she was right, little Rion Haruno remained a resident of the hospital for two solid months, during which time Sakura received a letter from the 5th Raikage Darui to express his relief that she was alright, as well as the child they'd conceived even if he wanted nothing to do with his kid, it was hope for the future.