Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or Naruto Shippuden. This is just for fun, no profit will be made from this (and I don't want to either). This is purely for my and the entertainment of Naruto fans.
Dedication: To my beautiful, amazing, intelligent, girlfriend Phillipa (Shadow Spirit Dragon-wolf) for being there for me through not only my writing (both fanfiction and my original story) but real life in general. You have been my inspiration and my support through everything.
Warnings: Violence, explicit sexual conduct (no rape!) homosexual relationship, relationship with a large age gap, struggles with belonging, self-hatred, obsession, self-harm, self-experimentation, human experimentation, mental disorders, a dark view of the "afterlife", (bonding of) pain and isolation, self-worthlessness, and male pregnancy.
Pairings: OroNaru, canon pairings (except, obviously, NaruHina).
Summary: Sometimes, the deepest scars are the ones no one can see, but in a world moving into the light even the oldest inner wounds can be seen
Enjoy! :)
Chapter Thirty: Sparks
Naruto
I squeeze Oreo's hand, watching his chest rise and fall. Kabuto finally got his breathing at a steady rate. Oreo's been awake a few times since he's been here-about three weeks. And he's not getting any better. In fact, he's actually getting worse!
He doesn't stay awake long enough for me to really talk to him. I want to tell him that he's going to be okay, but I have my doubts. He's in a hospital, yet he's getting worse? How can that be?! Aren't hospital's supposed to help?!
Oreo's blood is constantly being taken and his chakra levels checked as well. No one can figure out how Oreo has no chakra in some places but a whole clutch of it other places. And his belly…
Why is it so big?
I press my hand against it. Immediately, I feel a pulse of chakra and warmth. I frown, pulling back the covers and lifting his gown up. It's definitely bigger than when he first got here. Is it that chakra? Perhaps that surgery would be a good idea…
Kabuto sent a summons for Granny Tsunade to return immediately knowing that Sakura would outright refuse my lover. Her response was to have Sakura look at him until she could get there. Apparently, old man Onoki isn't doing too hot either, so Granny is having to deal with him first.
So now Sasuke is at his house hopefully convincing Sakura that Oreo is in dire need of her help. But he's been there for a while. Sakura probably blew up.
I move the chair closer, rubbing my thumb across the back of his hand. Even while sick, Oreo's still so beautiful.
I watch him as the machines do their work. Not healing him, but stabilizing him. They've given up on me leaving, so I've been put in charge of monitoring Oreo. I make sure his heart rate and oxygen levels are normal. I bathe him and change his bedpan and make sure his catheter is okay. I brush his hair just the way he taught me. I change his sheets and pillows. I make sure he's warm. But more importantly, I talk to him.
I make sure he knows he's not alone and that I love him with every ounce of my being. I make sure that he understands he'll never have to be alone ever again. I stand up, kissing his forehead before sitting back down.
"Oreo, please be okay. We're doing everything we can to find out what's wrong. I'm so scared. Terrified to lose you. I just got you. I know I shouldn't be selfish, but dammit," I hiss, punching my thigh, "I am! I'm selfish for wanting to see those gorgeous snake eyes and to see that beautiful smile! To hear you laugh! I miss you so much! Please, Oreo! Don't… don't leave me! Please get better. Please, Orochimaru," I choke, throwing myself into him and sobbing uncontrollably.
"Naruto."
I sniff. "What did she say?"
"She's refusing," Sasuke says.
I hold onto Oreo more. "That means…" I whisper shakily.
"I'm going to keep trying. I'm not giving up on him."
"W-what did she say?" I ask, glancing up at my friend.
Sasuke closes his eyes, shaking his head.
"If she'd only see! If she'd just give him a chance! No one even wants to! He's so fucking miserable!"
"I know, but we will figure this out, Naruto."
"No, Sasuke! You don't understand! It's not just about-whatever the hell this shit is! It's…"
"It's what?"
"He's-" I cut myself off with another wave of uncontrollable sobs.
"Just breathe. I know this is difficult for you, but if you're going to be monitoring him then-"
"I know," I sniff, sitting up and wiping my face. "I know."
"Until Tsunade can get here, we have to do what we can. It's the only thing we can do."
"I just wish that Sakura-"
"She's pretty upset, Naruto. She outright refused to even look at him."
"But he needs her help!" I exclaim.
"I know."
"So she's just going to let him die?!"
Sasuke doesn't respond.
Another sob forces its way out. "O-Orochimaru…"
"Sasuke wasn't lying. You really are in love with him."
I freeze then turn to see Sakura standing at the door.
"S-Sakura? But I thought you…"
She ties her hair back in a messy bun and slaps some medical gloves on. "You brought Sasuke to me. It's time I returned the favour."
XXXX
Sakura
I can't believe I decided to do this. Just being in the presence of this man, it sends shivers down my spine. But, thinking over what Sasuke said, what Lady Tsunade taught me, and watching my friend breakdown over Orochimaru, I had to do something. I have to.
But that doesn't mean I like it. Not by a long shot.
"Naruto, I need you to step back," I say, approaching Orochimaru.
"Y-you're not going to hurt him, r-right?" he whispers, shakily.
I frown at my friend. "No, Naruto. I'm not here to hurt him."
"Sakura, are you sure about this?" Sasuke asks. "If it makes you uncomfortable-"
I close my eyes, shaking my head. "He's a patient. I can't refuse him. Besides," I say, looking at Naruto, "I watched you before I told you I was here. I don't want to put you through any more pain than I already have."
"Sakura-"
"Like I said, I owe you."
Naruto and Sasuke glance at each other then at me. "If you're sure…" Naruto says, pulling away from Orochimaru. "Please, help Oreo, Sakura."
"Oreo, huh?" I say, opening his mouth and sticking a finger. I pull it out, saliva sticking between my finger and thumb. "You always had some interesting nicknames."
Naruto blushes as I put the saliva sample away to be tested later.
"I'll tell Kabuto you're here, Sakura," Sasuke says, heading towards the door.
I nod as I check Orochimaru's vitals.
Sasuke returns with Kabuto a few moments later along with Suigetsu, Karin, and Jugo.
"Where's Captain Yamato?" Naruto asks.
"He had to do something. He said he'd be back as soon as he could," Jugo replies.
"Sakura!" Karin beams, hugging me. "How are you?"
"I could be better. And you?"
"Same. I've gotten into this mess."
"No one asked you to be here, Karin. It's not like you're doing anything to help."
"What was that?!"
"I've already warned you two," Kabuto snaps.
They sigh and move out of the way.
The corners of my lips twitch slightly then I frown. "Do you have his chart?" I ask Kabuto.
"Of course," he says handing it to me.
I scan it. Hypertension, bradycardia, hypoxemia, and hypoxia. Low chakra levels all over. A chakra cluster in the abdomen. Vomiting, diarrhea, strange behaviour such as craving unusual food, frequent urination, swollen abdomen, rapid weight gain, malnourished.
"Kabuto, can you have someone test that saliva sample?" I ask as I push the covers and his gown up.
Kabuto takes the sample and leaves the room.
I frown and press my hands against Orochimaru's abdomen. It's definitely swollen. Blood has come up to the surface, changing the skin of it from unnatural white to a dark red. I press my hands gently on it, pressing around.
Orochimaru whimpers.
"Oreo...!"
I glance over my shoulder at Naruto. "It's okay, Naruto. It's just really sore."
"Please be careful with him," he whispers, moving closer.
"I will."
Kabuto comes back a few moments later with the results.
"Well?" Naruto asks. "What is it? Did it tell why Oreo's dying?"
"It's the same as before, Naruto. It's not revealing anything."
I sigh, rubbing my eyes. "I figured as much."
"So then if blood, pee, poop, and spit doesn't tell us what's wrong with him then…?"
"The next thing would be an ultrasound, but that's already been done."
"So nothing can be done?!" Naruto exclaims.
"I never said that," I say. "Karin, will you watch Orochimaru's chakra levels?"
"Sure," she says, walking over.
"Sasuke, I need you to direct your Sharingan at his abdomen."
Sasuke nods, preparing himself.
"Naruto, you and Jugo use your senjutsu chakra as I use my medical ninjutsu."
"Okay," Naruto says. He and Jugo preparing as well.
"Kabuto, use snake Sage Mode and use the snake on your abdomen to help Naruto and Jugo."
Kabuto prepares his Sage Mode and attaches the snake to his old master.
"And what do I do?" Suigetsu asks after we're all set up.
"Watch the ultrasound screen. Tell me exactly what you see."
"Kay. You got it, Sakura."
"Is everyone ready?"
"As I'll ever be."
"Yes."
"Ready."
"Let's do this! Let's save Oreo!"
We pull our powers together.
"Weird chakra ball…"
"We know about that. Keep digging deeper," Naruto says. "We have to save Oreo!"
We dig deeper, channeling our powers together and within the Snake Sannin.
"I feel something…"
"Me too."
"What is that?"
"What do you see, Sasuke?"
"Snakes. A lot of snakes. A lot of chakra. A river of chakra with snakes swimming in it."
"Snakes? Like from his soul?"
"They have the same chakra."
"But what would they be doing-"
"Guys! I see something!"
"What?" I ask, looking up.
Suigetsu points to the screen. "See that?"
"The snakes and chakra? Yeah, we see that, Suigetsu," Karin scoffs.
"No! No! Look!" he exclaims, pointing to a certain spot.
"Is that…?"
"It's an egg!" Naruto exclaims.
"An egg?"
"Sasuke, can you…?"
He nods, focusing his rinnegan on the egg this time. His eyes widen.
"What is it, Sasuke?"
"It appears the chakra is going to that egg."
"But why?"
"I'm not sure."
Wait a second…
Cravings, mood swings, loss of appetite, vomiting, frequent urination, swollen abdomen…
I glance at the ultrasound screen then down at Orochimaru.
"What is it, Sakura?"
"I think I know what the problem is," I say.
"What? Please tell me!"
"Orochimaru is pregnant."
XXXX
Naruto
"Orochimaru is pregnant."
"Orochimaru is pregnant."
"Orochimaru is pregnant."
I stare at Sakura for a bit. Silence fills the air for a moment then I throw myself at my lover, cradling his belly and kissing it. "He's… I'm going to be a father!" I beam, tears of joy streaming down my face.
"How can he be pregnant?" Suigetsu asks. "I mean… he's a guy."
"We're certainly going to have to figure that out."
"How do you know he is though? I mean we saw an egg, not a baby."
"I put two and two together. Hinata would be able to tell if there is a baby inside of that egg or if it's just chakra or perhaps a snake."
"You can't, Sasuke?" Karin asks.
"No. It was extremely difficult to do what I could."
"The snakes are protecting the egg. They don't want foreign chakra inside," Kabuto supplies.
"So in order to actually see this baby, we need Hinata here?" I ask.
"Yes. She's the only one who can see the chakra network clearer."
"Okay."
"She doesn't know, does she?" Sakura asks.
Everyone else moves away. Kabuto writes down what we've found out.
I look down. "No. She doesn't even know I'm back…"
"Then I think you need to tell her, Naruto."
"I… I can't. It'll break her heart…"
"It will, but it's better you tell her now than her to find out later by someone else."
"I… I know you're right. It's just… she's been my friend for so long. She's been in love with me and I feel like such a jerk…"
"You could always have a little fun with her," Suigetsu smirks.
"What?"
"You know, knock her up too."
"I'm not doing that!" I exclaim.
"It's what she wants, no?"
"No, it's not! Hinata isn't like that! And besides, I'm with Oreo!"
"So you'd rather be with someone who could pass as your grandpa than some chick who'd give you everything?"
"It's not about that! I love him! I'm not cheating on him! He doesn't deserve that!"
"Well, alright then," he grins.
"Suigetsu, stop riling Lord Naruto up."
He scoffs. "Whatever. So are we needed anymore?"
"Not at the moment," Sakura replies. "The best thing to do is to let Orochimaru rest."
"Right. We'll be around then. C'mon, Karin."
"What? Why me?"
"Cause you still owe me a kiss," he winks.
"Oh, right," she sighs as they leave.
"Stay with him? One of us will be back later," Sakura says.
"Of course."
I make a shadow clone and send it to talk to Hinata. I look at Sasuke. "Please stay."
"I was planning on it, loser."
Preview
Orochimaru
"Well, that would explain why I've seen pregnant women do such things," I say then I soften my voice. "Hello, precious. How are you?"
Two kicks. Naruto and I smile.
"I've been telling it about you and how we can't wait to meet it."
"You haven't promised it ramen and the toad contract have you?" I frown.
"Of course!" Naruto grins.
"We're doomed."
Next update date: February 24th
I hope y'all enjoyed! Until next time :).