Chapter Forty-Two: Tea Between the Matriarch and the Godaime
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Sakura
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The fatigue continued to worsen. While in Ayane's clinic in Rain, Sakura had glanced through a book about the reproductive system, focusing on the first trimester embryology and gestation. Her fatigue was completely normal and should start to improve in another week or two. She would definitely struggle on the run back home though and she could only hope her team didn't ask questions she didn't want to answer..
"Yo, Sakura?" Kakashi knocked gently on the bathroom door. "Are you almost ready? We'll eat at our first break, so we're heading out soon. Sai and Ino are already waiting at the gate."
She gripped the edge of the vanity and stared at her pale face. The nausea happened only on occasion now and she'd not thrown up for at least a week. She managed to direct her chakra to reduce the acidic level of her stomach. However, nothing seemed to help the fatigue. She slept ten hours every night and even took a couple of catnaps between patients. Thankfully, the fatigue hadn't affected her performance.
Master Tsunade and Shizune-senpai were going to love the medicinal tome she and Sai had created with the fungi addendum from Rain. Hopefully, everything would go smoothly in a trade agreement between Konoha, Suna, and Rain in sharing their medicinal herbs. She was eager to get home and see Sasuke and share the news of her condition— their condition.
Sakura brushed her teeth and then gathered her toiletries. She opened the bathroom door to find Kakashi sprawled on top of the bed. He cracked his right eye open to look at her. "Let's go," Sakura announced.
A faint smile creased under Kakashi's familiar black mask. "Alright."
Konan and Ayane bid their party farewell and the first steps towards reconciling their villages seemed to be a success. Yahiko hadn't been seen for the last week of their mission, but that was okay. He wasn't exactly much of a talker.
The pace Kakashi set for their team home wasn't nearly as brutal as their trip to Amegakure. It was almost leisurely by comparison. Sakura kept up with the steady pace Kakashi set for the first few hours, but when they stopped for their lunch break her adrenaline finally faded. She leaned back against a tree and when Kakashi announced it was time to depart, she wanted to cry. It was much too soon!
The hormones were going to embarrass her. She hadn't wanted to cry like this since she'd been a pre-teen or shortly after her parents had left the Leaf. She clenched her hands into fists at her side and grit her teeth. She would not cry in front of Kakashi. There was no way she'd let herself be so vulnerable around him. He'd finally started to treat her like a teammate of equal value and she wasn't going to lose that because of elevated progesterone levels. She knew her body was exhausted because it was busy forming the placenta, her peanut sized fetus could hardly be sapping away this much energy.
Kakashi crouched beside her, his hand rested gently on her shoulder. "Wake up, Sakura. It's time to head out," he said quietly, kindly.
Sakura forced her eyes open and blinked at him blearily, Kakashi's brow was furrowed with concern and his visible eye studied her with obvious worry. "Alright," she croaked. She stood using pure willpower and adjusted her pack over her shoulders.
"If you're still tired, I'll carry you," Kakashi suggested. He took the pack off her back as well as his own pack and sealed them both inside a scroll. He stashed the storage scroll into his flak jacket's front pocket. It was very expensive to purchase such a storage scroll. "At least I'll carry your bag."
"Those kind of storage scrolls are really expensive," Sakura pointed out. "It took me three months of mission wages to purchase one for my books."
"Three months of genin wages," Kakashi pointed out. "And I made this one myself. I know a little Fuinjutsu. Master Minato and his wife had been very adept at it. I could teach you what I know, if you like. It may not be your sensei anymore officially, but I'd enjoy sharing my knowledge with you." He gestured towards Sai on the far side of their rest stop. "He's rather skilled in the art of Fuinjutsu as well."
Sakura nodded. "I would like that." Three years late, but Kakashi was treating her as a fellow shinobi, rather than a liability. She wasn't going to risk that by being weak now. "Thanks for taking my pack. I'm okay, we can get going now."
Kakashi didn't press further and their squad headed out. A few hours later, Sakura's control slipped just a fraction and she missed a limb. She caught herself, but it was a bit of a scare. Kakashi was there a moment later because of course he noticed. Wordlessly, he crouched in front of her.
With a sigh, Sakura gratefully climbed onto Kakashi's back. His strong hands gripped her thighs firmly and she felt absolutely secure and safe. His long hair was soft as she rested her chin on his shoulder and she allowed herself to fall asleep.
When she opened her eyes, she noticed that Sai was also carrying Ino and they'd crossed into Fire Country. They must have traveled at an even faster speed than on their way to Rain. Kakashi called them for a break for the evening. "Sakura, are you sure you weren't poisoned?" Kakashi asked quietly, easing Sakura to her feet and off his back.
"I'm certain," Sakura answered, touched by his concern. "I know what's wrong. It will pass in a few days. I'm sorry to be a burden though. It really is unnecessary to carry me."
"It's nothing, Sakura." Kakashi stretched his neck to either side. "There's a river. Would you like to catch some fish with me? We'll be taking it easy the rest of today and head out at dawn."
Sakura agreed and they sat next to each other at the riverside. Kakashi pulled out a fishing pole from his storage scroll, used a tiny amount of earth chakra to disrupt the soil next them and found a worm not far from the surface to use as bait. Sakura watched in awe. The man really was the most resourceful and creative person she knew.
"I am sorry for slowing us down," Sakura murmured apologetically. She stared at Kakashi a moment, appreciating his long hair, before looking back down at the southern flowing water.
Kakashi shrugged. "We aren't in a hurry." He handed the fishing pole over to her. "I used to do this with my dad. One of my few memories of him that didn't involve training." He leaned over the edge of the shore and stared at his reflection in the slowly moving waters. "Long hair was an interesting experiment, but I'm glad it's over." He pulled out a kunai and chopped the silver length back to its usual style. He tossed the hairs into the air and with a snap of his fingers creating friction burnt the hair to ash, the remains blew away in the breeze.
Sakura certainly was envious of Kakashi sometimes. "Did you always have all five chakra natures?"
Kakashi shook his head. "Lightning and earth were my innate natures. Though, by the time I was ten, I had all five. My father had three natures and my mother had the other two, so that likely gave me an advantage." He glanced at her in concern. "How are you feeling."
"It's been a struggle," Sakura admitted.
Kakashi shrugged. "You've been going all out for four weeks. You accomplished your part of the mission. This part is mine and Sai's — making sure our chunin partners get home safe and sound." He eye-crinkle smiled at her.
"This is nice," Sakura murmured, enjoying the fresh air. The pole tugged. "Oh! I've got a bite!" She began to reel it in and was shocked by the size of the river trout.
"Nice," Kakashi commented. He created a bucket out of earth and then added water from the river into it. They tossed the fish inside of it. "Just a few more and then we'll have a nice meal for dinner."
It wasn't long before Sakura caught a second fish.
"You know, there's a lake back at the Hatake estate. Maybe you—-and Sasuke and Naruto would like to come over sometime," Kakashi suggested looking away.
Sakura grimaced. "Not sure Naruto is the best personality for fishing. I think Sasuke would like it though."
It was embarrassing, but Kakashi ended up carrying Sakura on his back twice during their journey back. Thankfully, she'd been spared further humiliation when Sai summoned his cartoon creation ink birds to fly them the last quarter of the distance.
Though, she could admit that she appreciated Kakashi's strong shoulders and the toned muscles of his back and his lean waist. She couldn't help but compare him to Sasuke's slighter frame. She was a little sad to see the loss of his ponytail, but the shorter hair did suit Kakashi better.
Sakura had been able to complete their mission report during their evening rest periods. Kakashi had appreciated her efficiency and told her, he was eager to work on future missions with her. Sakura wasn't sure if it was simply because he didn't have to write a mission report or if he meant it more genuinely. Though, it might have been a combination of both.
When their team reached Konoha and reported to Master Tsunade, not only did Sakura have their mission report, but the updated herbal book with the Rain addendum.
The Godaime's eyes had practically sparkled.
Sakura almost felt bad for ditching her teammates so quickly after their dismissal, but she needed to talk to Sasuke. She'd been extremely grateful when Shizune had whispered in her ear that Sasuke had returned earlier that morning.
It didn't take long to find him, as Sasuke was sitting on the stairs just outside the Hokage tower, waiting for her. He stood upon seeing her, arms opened wide.
"Sakura," Sasuke greeted a slight smirk on his lips.
"Sasuke," Sakura whispered launching herself into his embrace. Almost immediately, he flash-stepped them away from the tower and they were on the front porch of her house. She laughed, slightly breathless. "I had wondered if you missed me as much as I missed you."
"More," Sasuke answered, ducking his head, the tips of his ears pink. He unlocked the door and they walked inside. "I came by early this morning and freshened the place up."
Sakura took a deep breath and enjoyed the scent of fresh roses. They stepped inside, securing the door behind them and stood in the dining room. Sasuke stood behind Sakura, his hands secured at her hips, thumbs on the swell of her backside and his fingers pressed over her belly.
In the center of the dining table was a vase of crimson long-stemmed roses. She knew the meaning behind such a flower arrangement from her close friendship with Ino and surely Sasuke take care in his flower choice. They represented love that ran deep and was long-lasting.
"Sasuke they are beautiful," Sakura whispered, feeling her eyes water with emotion. "Thank you."
He kissed her cheek. "Let's sleep in tomorrow. Catch up." He rubbed his thumbs in tiny circles. He sniffed her hair. "Ugh, you smell like Hatake. What did he do? Carry you back?"
"Part way," Sakura admitted, turning to face Sasuke and banding her arms around his neck to meet his dark eyes.
"Why? Chakra exhaustion?" Sasuke frowned. "That's unlike you. You're always so careful and precise in your chakra control."
"Because, I'm pregnant, Sasuke. We're pregnant." Sakura tried to smile, but she was too nervous. He wasn't saying anything, nor was he reacting. He simply stared down at her wide-eyed. Sakura looked away, no longer able to meet his gaze.
Strong, firm fingers gripped her jaw and turned her back to face him. Sasuke leaned down and kissed her softly. "It's a bit sooner than I would have hoped, but I am honored to have a family with you, Sakura." He leaned his forehead against hers.
Sakura sighed, relieved that he wasn't upset. She was afraid he'd blame her for getting pregnant. "I thought you'd be mad."
"Surprised, but not mad. We—uh—were intimate — a lot," Sasuke pointed out. "This was always a risk. I don't regret it. We should probably speak with my mother about this — tomorrow. Tonight, let's just focus on us."
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Sasuke
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It was two in the morning, but Sasuke couldn't sleep. He held Sakura in his arms, happy to be reunited, excited about the idea of being a father, and maybe feeling a little terrified as well. He knew from a young age that he and Sakura had a special bond, but knowing that they would share a bloodline, that they would have descendants was truly remarkable.
"Why are you still awake?" Sakura asked, her eyes still closed, but sensing him awake.
"My mind won't settle," Sasuke murmured. "By the way, now that I've been to the snake cave and the toad mountain, I was wondering about the slug forest. What's it like?"
"Um, well, it's dark. The slugs are patient, but they will melt intruders with acid. Lord Hashirama trained there and some of the buildings he created are still there," Sakura answered. "I can take you there one day if you want."
"I would enjoy comparing the three realms," Sasuke said. He hugged Sakura close against him, enjoying how she fit against him. "How was your mission? Did you get along with Hatake?"
"It went well and yes. Ino was in our heads a lot of the time and I think it affected Kakashi. He opened up more than I thought he would," Sakura explained. "He let me grow out his hair and he wore it in a ponytail for the four weeks we were in Rain. I thought it looked pretty cool, but he cut it off as soon as we left the area."
"Oh? So you like long hair now?" Sasuke smirked, trying to imagine Kakashi with a ponytail. He couldn't quite picture it. And while Itachi looked good with his hair in a low ponytail, Sasuke preferred his own short.
"It was an interesting look," Sakura admitted. Her hands shifted to his hair and ran through his dark, spiky hair. "But your hairstyle is my favorite and always has been. You make the duck-butt style sexy."
Sasuke groaned. Shisui had dubbed his hair style 'duck-butt' ages ago and unfortunately the phrase had stuck. He considered telling Sakura about Naruto's strange confession, but thought it best to keep that to himself. He hadn't quite figured out how to handle that other than he shouldn't continue to share a room if Naruto didn't see him as a brother. It would probably help with the confusion his best friend was feeling if he created some space. While staying with Sakura was a tempting option, staying in the civilian sector on a regular basis would be problematic.
"Would you like to go fishing today?" Sakura asked, scratching her nails gently over Sasuke's scalp. "Kakashi invited me and said to ask you once we got back."
"Fishing? Where?" Sasuke wasn't against the idea. He did appreciate nature and while he usually hunted game, he wasn't against fishing.
"Apparently, the Hatake estates has a big lake," Sakura explained.
"Ah, sure," Sasuke agreed. He closed his eyes and snuggled against Sakura before falling back to sleep.
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Naruto
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He shouldn't have said anything. Sasuke wasn't the most talkative person and now it was as if he had nothing to say to Naruto. To make matters worse, Kakashi and Sakura's team returned to the village later the same day as them and Sasuke had stayed over with Sakura. He was envious, there was no doubt, but he was also lonely.
They had the next few days off from training. Fugaku insisted on his newly returned clansmen to rest and recharge before more training. Shisui had been assigned a local patrol with the police and Naruto found he had nothing to do. So, he headed towards the old public playground. Back before he'd been adopted by the Uchiha, he'd spent many-a-day at the park.
The old swing set had been upgraded, but it was still sturdy. Without much thought, Naruto pumped his legs back and forth and began to swing at a decent clip. After a while, he reduced his momentum and just tried to soak in the warmth of the sun and the fresh air. How lame was he? Calling himself the sun was so arrogant.
"Naruto?" A timid voice called.
He caught his toes in the dirt and stilled, waiting for her to approach.
"Hello, Hinata." He expanded his senses, took note of her two guards. He couldn't help but be privy to the Uchiha clan's dislike of the Hyuga.
Fugaku was one of the few that never spoke poorly of Hiashi. He said that he couldn't look down upon a man that had his brother killed, when he himself was responsible for the loss of his brother-in-law. He didn't know the circumstances of Hizashi's death. However, what he didn't care for, was the enslavement of those in the Hyuga Branch House. Fugaku said it was better to die than to live as a slave.
Naruto shifted his gaze towards Hinata's two guards. Sure enough, they had those bands around their foreheads cloaking their enslavement seals.
"Are you okay?" Hinata asked.
Naruto shrugged. "I've been better. How are you?"
"Can I sit with you?" Hinata grasped the chain to the second swing.
"It's a public park." Naruto gestured towards the second swing. "It's been a while. We haven't really seen each other since the Chunin Exam."
They'd been on the same team and while Kiba was just as annoying as he remembered from the Academy, Hinata had grown more confident and he respected her growth. However, he'd been very aware that her forehead was unmarked while her cousin Neji wore one of those leather wraps to hide the seal on his forehead. He couldn't help but agree with his adopted father's disgust. He had to remind himself, Hinata was not her father.
"You were out of the village. How has your training been going?" Hinata asked.
"Fine." Naruto wasn't really in the talking mood, but he didn't want to be alone right now either. "I've been learning a lot and getting stronger. I'm definitely going to be Hokage one day."
Hinata nodded. "I believe in you. You'll make a great leader. You proved that on our team."
Naruto had been the leader in their exam team. He had done a pretty good job. "You've grown stronger too." He thought to say something more, but his stomach growled loudly. It was lunch time.
"Would you like to get some ramen together?" Hinata suggested quietly. "My treat — for being such a great teammate on the Chunin Exams."
"Uh, sure," Naruto agreed.
With Hinata's guards trailing after them, they made haste towards Ichiraku. Teuchi had been thrilled to see Naruto again after he'd been out of town training for the last several weeks. And while the conversation was light between Naruto and Hinata, they talked a little about their training and their favorite flavors of ramen. It was a pleasant meal and the company was okay.
"So, um, Naruto-kun, I wanted to apologize for my father," Hinata said quietly, staring down at her noodles. "I'm embarrassed he went to your parents to request a marriage union. We aren't even dating."
"Yeah." Naruto grimaced, rubbing the back of his neck. That had been awkward and his adopted father, Fugaku, had certainly expressed his opinion with lots of flame.
"But, I — uh — would like to get to know you better, if that's okay," Hinata whispered. "I've been working with my cousin, Neji. I've grown stronger with my taijutsu, if you'd ever like to spar."
Naruto wasn't sure how to respond. It could be fun. Before he could think of an answer, one of Sasuke's messenger hawk summons swooped through the open window of Ichiraku with a little note secured to his talon. Naruto smoothed his hand over the bird's feathers and it preened under his palm. He opened the scroll. It was an invitation to join Sasuke, Sakura, and Kakashi fishing at the Hatake Estate. Naruto's heart clenched. Sasuke was inviting him and it would give him a chance to apologize to Sakura. The incident at the waterfalls had been selfish of him. He should have just kept his feelings to himself. Then he wouldn't be worried about whether he upset his two best friends with his confusing thoughts.
"Is that from Sasuke?" Hinata asked.
Naruto nodded. "Yeah, Team Seven meeting." He flashed her a warm smile. "Thanks for talking to me, Hinata. I really needed to see a friendly face. I really enjoyed having ramen with you. Maybe we should do it again sometime? And I'll get back to you about the sparring."
Hinata nodded. "I would like that."
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Sakura
"It's about time you joined us, Idiot," Sasuke scolded. "You were having lunch with Hinata?"
Naruto rubbed the back of his neck and stared down at his feet. "Yeah, we ran into each other at the park. She suggested it and I'm not one to turn down ramen." He sat next to Sakura, letting his feet cool in the lake's water. He glanced on the other side of the peer where Kakashi sat with his pole, next to Sasuke.
"Why are you all the way over here, Sakura-chan?" Naruto asked.
"Because I'm more interested in enjoying my feet in the water than in fishing and don't want to distract the fish from Kakashi's bait," Sakura explained.
"Ah," Naruto said with a nod. He bumped his shoulder against hers playfully. "I'm glad you're back. It's been too long."
"Just a little over six weeks," Sakura pointed out.
Naruto looked past her to where Kakashi and Sasuke were talking quietly about the types of fish in the lake. "Let's go for a walk, just you and me."
"Sure," Sakura agreed, rising to her feet and dusting her hands on the thighs of her shorts. "We'll be back, we're just going to take a tour around the estate."
Sasuke's dark gaze shifted between Sakura and Naruto, his expression unreadable before he nodded briefly.
"Don't wander too far, I do have traps set. I've tried to adjust them all to recognize your chakra, but be careful none-the-less in case I forgot one," Kakashi warned.
With that comforting thought, Sakura and Naruto walked towards the main house. "Is something on your mind, Naruto?"
"I'm just feeling a little out of sorts," Naruto admitted. "I don't always feel comfortable in my own skin." He shrugged. "I don't really know what's wrong. I don't think I'm a normal guy."
"Well, you're not the only one living in your body. I wouldn't say you're not normal, but you are unique in certain aspects. You're the host of a powerful entity," Sakura reasoned. "Naruto, do you know anything about the nine-tails' previous hosts?"
"His name is Kurama. And they were my mother and the First Stone Face guy's wife," Naruto answered. He scratched at his head. "Before then, Kurama roamed free, doing what he liked when he liked."
"The two previous jinchuriki were female," Sakura pointed out quietly. She thought back to some of her conversations with Naruto over the years about their bodies and puberty. "It may be that Kurama had carried on part of their essence into you, that could be part of why you are confused sometimes."
Naruto shrugged. "Maybe, I don't really know." He took a deep, shaky breath and then suddenly wrapped Sakura into his arms into a fierce hug. He buried his face against her neck, his words muffled against her skin. "I'm really sorry for trying to steal Sasuke away."
Sakura stood still as a statue, trying to process Naruto's confession. He tried to steal Sasuke away? When? How? What did he mean? "Can you maybe explain what you're talking about?"
"I told him that I loved him — like —had feelings for him and not the brother to brother kind," Naruto admitted.
"Oh." Sakura bit her lip, not really sure what to say and Naruto's grip on her wasn't loosened at all. "I see." Now was probably not a good time to tell him about her and Sasuke's situation. Naruto couldn't handle his own feelings and this sort of news would probably lead to more self flagellation. "He's not mine, Naruto. Sasuke doesn't belong to anyone, but himself. But I love him and there's no shame in you loving him too." She smiled softly, pulling a little out of Naruto's embrace so she could look at him. "I certainly can understand his appeal."
"He was disgusted, Sakura-chan. You should have seen the look on his face," Naruto whispered, his sky-blue eyes glistened with tears.
"Love is complicated. You know not all love is romantic, right? There is the family love too? Maybe it's like that, but just really strong. My love for you is more intense than that for my parents. But, it's the same kind — family. Does that make me a bad person?"
"Of course, not, Sakura-chan!" Naruto blinked, suddenly her knight in shining armor once more. He laughed nervously. "And to make matters worse, I had lunch with Hinata — and I liked it. What kind of person does that make me? Can my feelings even be sincere when I had a good time in her company?"
Sakura looped her arm through the crook of Naruto's elbow and started to lead him back to the lake and their companions. That particular conflict, she understood very well. "It is possible to love more than one person. It just means you have a big heart."
"I love you, Sakura-chan. I'm really sorry," Naruto said quietly.
Sakura leaned her cheek against Naruto's shoulder as they continued to walk. He was taller than her too now. "It's alright, Naruto. And I love you too."
When they returned to the lake, Kakashi and Sasuke had already caught a half-dozen fish. They'd turned it into a competition during their absence.
"Everything okay?" Kakashi asked.
Sakura nodded. "We're fine. What's next on the agenda?"
Kakashi glanced down at the bucket of fish. "I say we head back to the estate and make dinner."
"Ah, Sakura and I really need to go soon," Sasuke protested.
"Oh. Well okay. Thank you both for coming. Naruto?" Kakashi asked. "I feel like you just got here."
"I'm free, Kakashi-sensei!"
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Sakura
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The Uchiha household had an air of propriety as Mikoto served tea at the low traditional table in the family's kitchen. Sakura and Sasuke sat on the cushions on the floor across from her and Itachi. Fugaku was still at the police station.
Sasuke exchanged a look with Sakura and squeezed her hand under the table. Then he turned to face his mother and brother. "Sakura is pregnant with my child and I wish to marry her," he announced without any preamble.
"You're fourteen," Itachi said quietly, otherwise his expression was neutral.
Mikoto's eyes narrowed and she focused on pouring their tea. "You would need permission to marry before the age of consent. I will not grant it. You're both too young"
Sakura gripped Sasuke's hand tightly under the table. "We are keeping our baby."
Mikoto's dark eyes — so like Sasuke's — widened in shock and she blinked once, then twice, "Of course, my grandchild will be welcomed and is cause for celebration — but only within our immediate family. Sakura, you would be forced into retirement — I know you have aspirations yet to attain in your career." Her eyes shifted to Sasuke. "And your father would insist that you switch from ninja business to the police force, Sasuke."
Sasuke scowled. "That makes no sense. And we don't need permission to marry. We're old enough to make a baby, we're old enough to consent for ourselves our future."
"Unfortunately, somethings may be true, but that doesn't make them legal," Itachi said quietly. "Mother, there must be some way we can protect them." The two seemed to be holding a silent conversation that neither Sakura nor Sasuke were privy to the details. "Izumi and I are already discussing marriage. We could pass the babe as our own until Sasuke and Sakura are established. Our family would know the truth, but our enemies wouldn't."
"Enemies?" Sasuke echoed. "What enemies and why would they care if Sakura and I have a child?"
"Because this child could be used as a pawn — a member of the Uchiha head family and the Senju?" Mikoto shook her head. "It would be too tempting for someone like Danzo or even Orochimaru to get their hands on."
"I'm not a Senju," Sakura protested. "I'm just from a civilian bloodline."
"You're the apprentice of Tsunade Senju — the closest person she has to a daughter, Sakura," Mikoto pointed out. "And your mother is related to the Yondaime." She directed her attention back to Itachi. "We'd have to find a way to hide the pregnancy. That's difficult with Sakura working in the hospital to so many villagers and unfortunately, you will need to be taken off the active roster if you wish for a healthy pregnancy," Mikoto added turning back to Sakura. "We will need to speak to the Godaime, but otherwise, this child must be kept secret."
"What about the Kazekage?" Sasuke suggested. "He's always inviting you to apprentice in Suna under his grandmother."
"Lady Chiyo is a legend in the field of medicine," Sakura agreed. "Sasori can be trusted and I can work and train in privacy."
"Shisui will need to be kept in the loop, he can be part of the security detail," Itachi added.
"I obviously need to be there too," Sasuke pointed out. "This is my child and my girlfriend."
"You'll be there for the birth and for those first couple of months," Mikoto said, nodding her head thoughtfully. "Yes, I think this could work. Izumi will be there as well, so when you return, people will assume the child is hers and Itachi's."
"Unless the babe has pink hair and jade-green eyes," Sasuke pointed out, folding his arms over his chest petulantly.
"The Uchiha genes are dominant," Mikoto waved off his concerns. "This sounds like the safest option." She smiled apologetically at both Sakura and Sasuke. "I know this was supposed to be an exciting time for you — starting on a new adventure. But you're both too young to be settling down. We will work as a family to make sure your child receives all the love and attention it needs."
"I'd like to tell my mother," Sakura added.
Mikoto's face paled. "Absolutely not. At least, not right now. First, we speak to the Hokage. And aside from Izumi and Shisui, no one else knows — well except the Kazekage and his grandmother. Not even Fugaku is to know — is this understood?"
"Yes," Sasuke said quietly, he reached for Sakura's hand again and squeezed it.
Sakura squeezed his hand back. She didn't like this arrangement one bit. She should be excited about becoming a mother, not working in the shadows to keep her child a secret like some state-secret.
"You're part of the noble clan, Sakura," Mikoto said gently. "Whether you are married into this clan, or not, you're a mother of an Uchiha. There is a lot of hatred directed towards our clan. For the protection of your unborn child, I ask that you defer to my wisdom. I am confident the Godaime will agree."
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And sure enough, two days later, Lady Tsunade Senju had been invited to a formal tea by the Matriarch of the Uchiha clan.
Tsunade settled into the silk pillows of the elaborate tea room. Her trio of elite bodyguards waited just outside the room after they'd done a sweep to make sure there were no traps or wards. Then Lady Tsunade herself applied the silencing tag to the room for privacy. Her golden-honey eyes focused between Sakura and Mikoto.
"Normally, I wouldn't agree to the meeting with any of the clan heads," Tsunade prefaced the conversation. "However, since it involved my apprentice and the mother of her boyfriend, I felt I should make an exception." Her sharp gaze settled on Sakura. "I don't suppose this has anything to do with your ill health during the last mission."
Sakura clenched her hands into fists under the table, mentally cursing Kakashi for ratting her out.
"Ino and Sai both expressed their concern. They said at one point, Hatake had to carry you back to the village," Tsunade continued. "Though, when I asked Hatake, he said you worked many long hours and it was natural for you to be tired. It had been a delicate mission after all."
Sakura unclenched her fists and felt the sharp pangs of regret for blaming Kakashi. He actually stood up for her!
"It is related," Sakura confirmed with a sharp nod. Mikoto sent her a sharp look and she bit her lip. Sasuke's mother was the one in charge of this meeting after all.
"Sakura is with child," Mikoto announced.
Tsunade nodded, unsurprised, her honey eyes glued to Sakura and dancing with amusement. "I had noticed that boy could hardly take his eyes off you, much less his hands." She sighed. "It's standard to supply kunoichi with birth control after the age of sixteen." She waved at Sakura absently. "You always were precocious."
"I had thought I had timed things better," Sakura murmured.
Tsunade laughed. "Where there's a willful semen, there's a way!" She turned back to Mikoto. "So, what's this? Are you trying to ask my permission for my apprentice to marry your son?"
"They are too young to marry," Mikoto murmured. "Should they still feel the desire when they are older — say seventeen or eighteen — they would have my unconditional support."
"But they only have your conditional support at present," Tsunade said, reaching for the cup of steaming tea in front of her place at the table. She took a sip and grimaced. "Really, Mikoto? This type of conversation and you expect me to be sober?"
A faint smile graced the austere face of the matriarch. She reached into the robes of her dress and pulled out a silver flask. "Imported sake from Mist," she explained, unscrewing the bottle and pouring a generous amount into her own tea. She held it out to Tsunade. "I simply assumed you would bring your own."
Tsunade laughed and waved off the flask. She reached into her ample bosom and pulled out her own elaborately carved flask and poured some amber liquid into her tea. "Of course, I did." She looked at Sakura again, a fond smile gracing her painted lips. "So I'm going to have a baby to spoil." Her expression grew serious. "Unfortunately, the elders will want to ground you. You'll never make jonin now and you'll be stuck at the hospital permanently. The mother is always expected to raise the baby in this village. Hell, in all the ninja villages."
"Unfortunately, this baby will have a target — being half Uchiha from the ruling family no less and the child of the Senju Hokage's apprentice." Mikoto turned towards Sakura. "Dear, why don't you tell Lady Tsunade the idea we had."
Sakura held her tea, but didn't drink it. She let the warmth seep into her suddenly cold hands. "Lady Mikoto thought that I should maybe go somewhere else during my pregnancy and when the babe is born outside of the village — somewhere where my privacy can be maintained."
Tsunade's eyes narrowed. "Somewhere like where the Kazekage has been begging for years that you be allowed to train with his notoriously reclusive grandmother? Somewhere like Suna?" She drained her sake-laced tea. "Damn it. The old crone is going to get her way after all." She set the empty cup on the table and glared at Mikoto. "How will that help? She'll come home with a baby Uchiha in tow — those dark eyes and dark hair are dominant genes. This baby will be the spitting image of Sasuke."
"Izumi and Itachi were planning to marry later this year," Mikoto explained. "Izumi would accompany Sakura."
"I think Lady Chiyo would be happy to train both me and Izumi," Sakura explained. "Think of the knowledge we could share between our villages. And after my time in Rain, I could really help further the bartering and trade of important medicinal herbs as well as knowledge."
"There you go, appealing to my ego of furthering the progress of modern medicine," Tsunade grouched. "I can't imagine the father will be okay with Sakura being away."
"He can be sent to guard over her," Mikoto suggested.
"If the babe is supposed to be Itachi's, shouldn't it be Itachi going? Besides, Sasuke is still working with Naruto," Tsunade countered, drumming her manicured fingers over the table. The entire table vibrated under her idle strength.
"I would like for Sasuke to be there for the birth and for when the baby is first born. I'd like us to spend some time together as a family before we return," Sakura said quietly. She looked between the two older women whom she respected. "This baby will be a target for the likes of Orochimaru and Danzo. Until those two are dealt with, I would feel better knowing my child is protected by the strongest of the Uchiha. She'll still be with family and I'll be able to see her regularly — maybe under the guise as doting aunt to outsiders, but our family will know."
"Those are good points and there is still so much you haven't done in your career. You told me you want to be a field medic, not a hospital medic, you can't do that if the elders know you're a mother," Tsunade agreed. "It's stupid, but we can't change everything over night."
"And she'll move into the Uchiha district," Mikoto added. "So she can be close to the babe. Perhaps her parents will decide to rent out their house since they've relocated to Tea." Her dark eyes flashed. "I do not trust Mebuki to accept this child, so its existence must be kept secret." She turned towards Sakura, her face softened in sympathy. "I am sorry, my dear, but your mother's hatred for my clan is beyond reason. She blames all the Uchiha for the loss of the Yondaime. And she has a history of apothecary. You and this babe would not be safe — even if she is your mother."
Sakura stared at Mikoto in shock. "My mother and I have our differences, but she would never harm an innocent child."
"She might not consider the babe a child until after it's born," Tsunade reasoned. "I agree. The pregnancy will be a state secret and the child will be acknowledged as the son or daughter of Itachi and Izumi. However, the birth certificate will have the truth and I'll ask the Kazekage to store it in his tightest security." She growled. "That little brat and the crone are going to hold this over me."
"So, it's happening. I'm going to be in Suna for the rest of the year," Sakura said quietly. She thought about the improvement in her relationship with her Team Seven squad, Ino and Sai. Hopefully, all the precious bonds she'd been forging would not suffer.
"Yes, you'll leave next week. And you'll stay until the babe is six months old. You'll be in Suna for at least fourteen months, Sakura. I expect you to have activated your Byakugou seal by then." She poured straight sake into her empty tea cup and drained it. "You better not disappoint me. And now I'm going to have to lower the age of supplying birth control to the kunoichi. Precocious brat." A faint smile lifted her lush lips. "After centuries of rivalries and bloodshed, there will finally be a true union of Uchiha and Senju."
"I'm not Senju," Sakura protested.
Tsunade scowled and reached across to poke Sakura's forehead. "You unlock my seal girl and I dare anyone to say you're not a Senju — adopted by me if not by blood."
"Can Shisui come too?" Sakura asked. "He's been a big brother to me my whole life."
Tsunade nodded. "Part of the time. I can't spare all my best Uchiha just because you're procreating with them." She frowned. "Don't tell Hatake. He seems overly protective of you these days." She flashed a sympathetic smile towards Mikoto. "It probably wouldn't be good for Sasuke's health if he were to find out."
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