Chapter 46: News

'Inner thoughts'

Yukino's POV

Sighing I looked out the window craving the taste of dango. 'I've been eating sweets lately. I need to limit myself, I feel like I'm becoming spoiled.' Turning back to my desk I picked up the brush and continued to make the explosive tags. Hearing a knock at the door I didn't hesitate to say, "Come in," since only very few people ever came by this floor either to deliver papers, a shrine keeper, or a clan head.

"Sorry to bother you, Yukino-san." A Wolf member slightly bowed. "We received a report that rogue shinobi from Kumogakure and Sunagakure were captured in the land of rivers," they said leaving the location on my desk.

"I understand I'll head there immediately," I stood up removing my haori.

Grabbing the note I looked over it. "I'll inform them you'll be arriving." They bowed and left. "Excuse me." I heard them say on the other side of the door. Turning my head quickly to see who it was I tipped to the side feeling slightly nauseous. Blinking a few times my eyes were able to focus on Ryota and Emi as they entered the room. "Are you okay?" He asked.

"Yeah, I just turned my head too quickly." I rubbed my eyes. "Anyways, did something happen?" I asked while picking up the stack of finished explosive tags.

"No, it's just that your check-up is today," Emi answered, bringing out a small notebook. "Six months have passed since your last one." As she said that I placed a seal on them, quickly opening a small portal placing them on one of the hundreds of stacks that were ready.

"Has it been that long?" I sighed. "Okay, I'll pick up the rogue shinobi then go to my check-up." I opened a portal and took out my Anbu mask.

"Don't worry we'll go with you." Ryota smiled, taking out the extra leaf headband from his own storage.

Konoha

With two unconscious rogues in tow, I looked down at the wreckage that had become the leaf village from the Konoha wall.

"How the? When did the-?" Ryota tripped over his words as he couldn't understand what he was seeing, and to be honest neither could I.

"She mentioned Naruto but I never asked how she was able to interact with him," I said quietly so only both of them could hear. "This is insane. How is everyone still alive?" My eyes scanned the scene below.

"I'll collect information." Emi removed the forehead protector on her head returning it to Ryota before jumping down and blending in with the civilians.

"Ryota, go with her. I'll meet with you both at the hospital."

"Sure." He removed his forehead protector and jumped down after Emi.

Turning around to face the knocked-out rogue shinobi I extended my hand locking away the memories of the ones who caught them. Checking the ropes I made sure the tags preventing their movements were still intact before going down to the gate, passing by the same two shinobi I've seen for years.

"Brought two more, huh?" Kotetsu sighed, bringing out the black notebook. "Izumo, can you take them to the Anbu?" Izumo hummed in response and took the ropes from my hands teleporting the two rogues away.

I've been gone for a while… I should write down an injury or something.' Writing my name down I asked, "So what happened here?"

"You don't know?"

Shaking my head, I gave my usual excuse. "I was hunting down rogues so I lost track of time again."

"Must be tiring. Good thing I'm not in your shoes." He smiled taking the signed notebook. "You wouldn't believe this but the Akatsuki came here and destroyed everything in the blink of an eye. If it weren't for Naruto the Leaf would've been finished."

"Naruto did that?" I carefully asked.

"Can you believe that? He convinced the leader of the Akatsuki to bring back everyone."

'So that's how Nagato lost his life.' Feigning awe, I placed my hand over my mouth. "No way… isn't he like my age?" Before he could answer I pointed out the new buildings. "Wait, then how are there so many buildings if the place was flattened recently?"

"Oh? Those were created by Tenzo. I heard he was in the Anbu before. You probably met him right?"

Sensing Izumo approaching I quickly answered his question. "Yeah, I think I met him once. Well, see you next time. I'll come back later and collect my reward, I have things to do." I left heading to the hospital. 'Naruto's current sensei. So he has a technique similar to the first's.'

・・・

Arriving at where the new hospital was I was surprised to see the rebuilt building. It felt weird to see the place the way it was after remaining the same year after year. No, it wasn't just the hospital. The whole leaf changed, the streets and ground level of the whole village changed making it confusing for me who still lingered in the past.

Seeing a familiar face I smiled. "Confusing isn't it?" Ryota smirked, understanding my plight.

"Yeah…" I sighed, scratching my head. Noticing the missing presence of my other friend I opened my mouth to ask.

"Emi went looking around to get a feel of the new layout." He answered my question before I could say it. "Come in it seems that it's quiet today." He entered holding the door open.

"Thank you." I gave a small playful curtsey. Rolling his eyes he smiled.

・・・

After the usual waiting, I entered Dr. Satomi's new office leaving Ryota outside in the hall to wait. Taking a seat I was asked the usual questions. "Anything abnormal?" She asked. When she did I began to tell her of my recent fatigue, dizziness, and that one time I vomited after smelling salted tongue. Leaving out my unusual increase in food consumption. 'I'm just becoming used to eating regularly.' I told myself.

She glanced up from her clipboard and opened her mouth before closing it, shaking her head as if saying. 'No, I must be mistaken.' Placing her clipboard down she asked. "If you don't mind may I use my Byakugan to see how you are doing internally?"

"Sure go ahead." I stood up as the veins around her eyes bulged. "!" Frowning slightly she walked around me as if unsure of what she saw. 'I hope it is nothing serious, I mean my disease is in control after placing all those seals on my body. So it can't be that. My chakra is stable like any others, right?' Feeling my heart race I held in my bubbling thoughts as worries that maybe I placed too many seals on my body. 'That could explain my fatigue.' I realized. 'I don't need that many kunai, maybe I should remove them.'

Hearing the click of her pen I snapped out of it. "Yukino-san… you're pregnant," she said calmly.

"Ah… that makes sense." I sighed relieved that it wasn't anything serious. 'Wait… I'm pregnant… with Itachi's…' Sitting back down I placed my elbow on the chair leaning my head on my propped-up hand. 'I'm not ready for this…' I began to tear up feeling a mix of elation and dread.

Hearing the click of the pen again I extended my hand. "Don't write this down! Please."

She glanced up from her clipboard and pointed at the door. "Is the child from the young man waiting outside?" She asked.

"No. The father is… dead." I wiped my eyes.

"I see…" She clicked her pen a couple of times before adding. "I'm going to write down a prescription for constipation pills. Do not take them." She said writing on her chart. "I don't know why you want to keep it a secret but knowing more about you than anyone in this village I have to agree that this should be kept secret. The third would have wanted it so." She finished and placed her clipboard down.

"Do you want to keep it?" She asked.

"Yes!" I answered quickly. "But… how am I going to hide it?"

She sighed and stood up walking to one of the windows. "If you have the right connections you can ask for a transfer to Sunagakure."

'Sunagakure… that won't work…' I thought and while I did she returned to her desk. "I would suggest buying these books." She cleared her throat and handed it to me. "I wish you luck in whatever you choose to do."

"Thank you." I took the list sealing it into my arm.

Ryota's POV

Standing outside in the hallway I twirled one of my hair strands in utter boredom when I heard the sound of the door sliding open. "Thank you," Yukino said as she left the office.

"Done?" I asked in which she replied with a simple nod. "Ok, let's go. I think I sensed Emi." Nodding once again I glanced at her furrowing my eyebrows slightly. 'Weird. Why do I feel like something happened?' Keeping the thought to myself we exited the hospital seeing Emi standing outside.

Her eyes lit up the moment she saw us and practically skipped over. "Was everything alright?"

"Yeah…" Yukino nodded looking down as she played with her hands in a jittery fashion. 'Something is definitely up.' I glanced at Emi who shared a similar expression.

"I want ramen," I said picking up her interest.

"I know a place." She said. "Ah… wait, it was probably destroyed."

"You mean Ichiraku Ramen right?" Emi asked. "Some of the business sectors were rebuilt including Ichiraku Ramen." With that our next destination was set.

・・・

Sitting down I sat down next to Yukino who sat next to Emi. In this order we blocked her, preventing any possible escape in the case that she would run away or hide again.

Ordering different things all that was left to do was wait. Hearing the anxious tapping of Yukino's legs against the stool I held in a sigh and drank from my glass. The tapping suddenly stopped, "I'm pregnant," she said somehow causing all noise in the shop to cease.

Choking on my water I heard Emi coughing as well as the sudden reveal caught both of us in surprise. "Should you really be telling us here?" I cleared my throat glancing nervously at Teuchi.

"It's fine, Teuchi-san knows many things and has kept them all secret. Right?" She asked in which he nodded.

"Wait, no, that's not the point. Yukino, this is big. Don't tell me you're going to keep it?" I asked in disbelief. 'With the things happening at the moment there's no way she can raise a kid safely or normally.'

"I decided. It's his and it's mine I won't have another chance so that's why I want to raise it." She placed her hand on her ring and closed her eyes. "I want to have it. However, things seem to be unstable at the moment so I'm not so sure…" She sighed. "I don't want to raise a kid like this."

"There may be a way to put the pregnancy on hold," Emi spoke, flipping through a small notebook that seemed to appear out of nowhere. Stopping she held up the book so we could see the small neat words written in list form. Quickly glancing over the list I stopped at the one that her finger pointed at. Germination seal. "It may work." She continued closing the small notebook, tucking it into her sleeve. "The records say that it has been used before however its been noticed to cause negative effects on the people."

"There's a jutsu for that?" I asked as the ramen was placed in front of us.

"Yes, I happened to see it when I helped at the shrine a while back."

"I'll look at it later. For now, let's eat!" Yukino smiled and dug into her plate.

・・・

After finishing the meal we all headed for a more secluded area. Standing in what remained of the forest we sat around a rock as we looked over the scroll with the seal Emi told us about. "I can't believe there was something like this." I stared in awe amazed at just how creative the people of the past were.

"Yeah me neither." Yukino sighed as her eyes scanned the effects. "No matter the side effects I'll do it." She looked at Emi with a vibrant smile. "Will you place it on me?"

"Good choice," I nodded, taking the scroll and rolling it up. "Emi's better at fūinjutsu than me." I slid down the rock handing it to Emi who sat at the bottom.

"Are you sure?" Emi asked. "You have to keep in mind that the seal can only be applied once per pregnancy." She stood up from the ground.

"I know, it also says that it can be removed whenever you, the user, desires, or when pregnancy occurs once again." Yukino carefully slid down the rock.

"That's good, it's not like you're going to get knocked up again." I joked.

"Yeah…" she said with a hint of disappointment. Something that my mind needed to process for a while longer. 'Away dirty thoughts. She's just sad she won't be able to create a bigger family with the first guy she ever dated. Yeah pure and simple.' I thought as I kept my facial features as they were.

"If you're fine with it I will put you to sleep for this." She held her hand up waiting for confirmation.

With a smile, Yukino closed her eyes and leaned into her hand. The moment she made contact her body flinched slightly before slumping over. Catching her I laid her down on the grass gently as Emi kneeled next to her unrolling the scroll.

"Wait." I stopped her. "Check her memories to check when she was impregnated." Emi just stared at me with a disturbed expression. "What, I just want to know what stage she's in. If we know then we know what symptoms are going to be amplified for the next few months or years."

"That is actually a really good idea, forgive me. Knowing could help us know what to make to ease the side effects."

"Exactly."

Placing both her hands on her head she closed her eyes. Waiting quietly by her side I kept an eye around us making sure to protect them air being sucked in I turned around seeing Emi snap her eyes open. "What did you find out?"

"She asked for it"

"Emi don't be mean." I sighed.

"No…" her face flushed and she began to play with her hair. "She literally asked for it. When she was alone with him she asked him to do…" fanning her face she shook her head. "Not just once but a couple of times."

"Wow. You know I would say I see that happening but I actually don't want to imagine it." I sighed quietly feeling my face heat up when I remembered our real objective. "How long ago was that memory?"

"Around two months or so." She sighed, placing her red face in her hands.

"That's great if we do it somewhere this week we should avoid the symptoms of the second trimester."

"You know a lot for someone not in the medical department." She let out a small chuckle.

"Well, my mom is studying prenatal care so I picked up a few things while helping her." I cleared my throat at the slight embarrassment of someone knowing a small family detail.

Suddenly Yukino sat up with a gasp making us both flinch in surprise. "Don't put it on! I need to talk to Tsunade-sama first." She stood up slightly disoriented. "Go to my house. I'll meet you there after I talk to her."

"Ok…" We both responded feeling our hearts beat wildly in our rib cages as a guilty person would. "We'll wait there," I said and Emi nodded making her hair bounce with the action.

"Yeah… I need to practice to see if I can do it anyways." She looked down rolling up the scroll.

"See you two soon, then." She quickly left focusing more on the fifth Hokage than our guilty and panicked demeanor.

3rd POV

Quickly walking through the forest a certain mixed haired lady ducked under fallen trees and made her way to the tent of the fifth Hokage unaware of the latter's condition.

Making her way to the tent she flinched nearly bumping into Shizune. "Yukino!" The woman gasped with surprise. "Oh, you're alright!" She hugged the younger kunoichi with a relieved sigh.

"I guess I was lucky to not be here when all this happened." Yukino waved her hand at what was left of the village. "Anyways where is Tsunade-sama? I have to tell her that I returned.

"She… it's better if you see for yourself." Without saying anything more the black-haired woman led the kunoichi to a specific tent. Holding it open, the latter cautiously entered not seeing anything at first though she could feel someone's presence.

When her eyes adjusted to the dark she saw the frail and old state of the fifth Hokage. "I can't believe this happened." Her voice coming out barely above a whisper.

"She did her best to heal everyone hurt during the attack," Shizune explained.

"No wonder…" She kneeled down next to the old-looking woman. "She's lucky to have survived." Holding her hand gently she closed her eyes transferring small amounts of her own chakra. "I gave her a bit of my chakra. Hopefully, this can help speed her recovery. This is the most I can do for now, Shizune-san. I'm sorry."

"No. Thank you." Shizune slightly nodded as she revealed something else. "I should be apologizing. I read your records."

Eyes widening slightly Yukino kept her gaze on the weak woman before her. 'That must be why doctor Satomi didn't object.' Hiding her reaction from the woman behind her she answered. "It's to be expected. After all, there must be a reason why the third kept an eye on me, right?" She calmly said trying to prod out the information she really knew.

"Yes, your medical examinations have shown that your chakra's regenerative ability is higher than normal."

"So you led me to this tent for that reason?" She turned around seeing the older woman lower her head and nod. "That's quite sly of you. I never expected that." She stood up heading to the exit while hiding her smile as an opportunity revealed itself. "My hunts may take longer to complete due to an injury I've sustained hopefully upon my return Tsunade-sama has woken up. Take care of her Shizune-san." She put on a sweet smile and left heading towards home but making a small stop first.

Looking around as she walked she spotted the boy she was looking for being helped by a familiar pale boy. With sharp eyes, she noticed the bruises that the blond boy had as he entered the tent.

Running to the tent she opened the flap startling the blond boy who yelled with surprise.

"Yukino-chan," Naruto asked before quickly looking down and covering his face. "A-ah. I didn't know you returned."

Looking down she used her hair to cover her face as her eyes glowed a nice moonlight glow. Putting her hand in her pocket she took out bandages and ointment. Kneeling down next to him, her eyes returned to their usual appearance.

"Geez. Look at these injuries. It looks like you were pummeled by hail." She sighed while quickly cleaning the injuries before wrapping them in bandages. The boy was too surprised to say anything and let himself be tended to.

"Naruto allowed himself to be punched by a kunoichi of Kumogakure," Sai explained.

"SHH!" Naruto quickly shushed the other a second too late.

"If I see this girl I'll return the act, alright?" She smiled sweetly while her eyes showed pure murder in them.

"N-no. You don't have to." He shook his head.

Seeing him as he said it she sighed and let the matter go. Finishing by placing the patch on his eye she patted his head and placed a light kiss on top of it. "Done." She said standing up. The other blushing stared up at her. "Please be more careful."

He could only stare as he felt something inside. A familiar feeling he couldn't quite place. "Uh-huh." Was all he could say as he was left alone in the tent.

Hearing his reply she smiled as the reaction reminded her of the boy's younger self. "Yukino-san," Sai said, bringing her back to the present.

"It's about how… no, why Naruto was injured. Isn't it?" She asked, having a broad idea of what it could be. Unfortunately, she was right.

Giving her the scoop of what had happened the girl began to walk nudging the Root member to follow her. As she heard all this she showed little to no emotion on the outside but internally she was in disbelief that he had not chosen to return to Konoha. 'Sasuke… why?' She thought until she remembered everything Itachi had to go through. 'I wouldn't return either… but why join Akatsuki?!' She thought not seeing the irony of it.

"Ugly, someone called your name." Sai used the nickname he gave her that one time after the failed attempts to get her attention.

"If I didn't hear them, they would not be important." She responded with a sigh. 'It was funny the first time, I hope it doesn't stick.'

"He had an Anbu mask."

"If he had purple ends then it's not anyone important."

"That is oddly specific."

Stopping she turned to face the boy whose expression never once changed. Taking in everything that happened she had a small grasp on the situation. "I have a feeling you're gonna want to see Kakashi." He gave one simple nod and she pointed. "I can sense him that way with Tenzo-san."

"That narrows it down. I appreciate the help." He thanked leaving the moment he finished saying it.

With her side matter done she headed in the direction of her home realizing halfway there the probable state of her home. Hurrying to the edge of town she began to remember all the things she had stored in the house's storage room. The pictures and memories that the items in it held made her pace increase.

Arriving at the crumbled building she looked around seeing her home now ruins as the few traces of her past were gone. "Yuu," She heard Ryota whisper to her.

Looking around she spotted his red hair peeking out from the shadows of the nearby toppled trees. Carefully making her way to them she ducked under the low hanging branches joining them in the shadows.

"Yukino, Kamen-san came by a few moments ago." Ryota made a small gesture to the few trees that remained rooted. "He said that when you left that organization they came by and took your stuff to Inari for safekeeping."

"Really?" Her face brightened up with relief. "That means that everything is safe."

"It's a good thing your family is cautious." Emi smiled.

"At least we have some good news." Yukino sighed.

"What do you mean by that?" Repeating everything Sai told her they listened coming to the conclusion that "rescuing" him will no longer be possible.

Ryota looking down at his hands carefully placed one on her shoulder. "I'm sorry." He apologized for not taking the younger brother the day he took her.

"No, it's fine." She consoled him. "Tobi must've told him something to make him join. He's always been so stubborn so I doubt a conversation will bring him back to Konoha." She smiled. 'Maybe I should make him forget everything.' She thought, catching herself by surprise. 'I cannot. No… I can never mess with his memories.'

"For now, Emi let's place that seal."

Amegakure

The space within the tower wavered, after a quiet second the kunoichi cautiously stepped out to look around. With no danger in sight, she went back into her portal and took out the stacks of paper bombs that she and members of the Wolf and Koi had worked so hard to make. Another trip or two like this and they would reach their goal.

The sound of moving paper didn't distract her as she took out the rest. "Thank you once again for your help." The older woman said as she took a stack and removed the protective seal.

"It was part of the deal. By the way, I'm pregnant." The young kunoichi said once she took out the last stack, helping remove the seals she placed.

"?!" Konan's eyes widened, turning to look at the kunoichi who calmly worked alongside her as if what she said was on the same level as someone talking about the weather.

"For now it's in a state of suspended animation, sort of." The kunoichi guessed. "Just until I'm ready."

"Congratulations." Was all she could say as she looked down at her own hands. "Your hands are still clean so become a good mother for that kid."

"I will do my best." She smiled relieved that she hadn't asked about the father as others had. "Konan."

"Hm?"

"Do you think I chose correctly?"

"I sense a storm approaching. You waiting for it to pass is the best decision you could make." She raised her hand and as she said it she sent the paper bombs away through the thin vents of the building. "It'll get to live in a more peaceful time. Something I wish we could have gotten." She quietly whispered the last part to herself.

Nodding Yukino continued to remove the seals feeling as if she meant someone else with that 'we'. As she thought that she remembered the memories she was able to see from Nagato knowing who she meant by that. 'I will make sure you grow with a peaceful life.' She vowed to the small fetus inside of her. 'No matter how far into the future that is.'

Yukino: At the time that I was doing that the Kages of the five great nations were on their way to the Kage Summit in the Land of Iron.

?: So you knew about that too?

Yukino: Of course I did. Even now I know of the things that have been happening outside. Oh, but don't worry I won't tell you how.

?: Of course, secrecy is your best friend after all.

Yukino: You're one of my best friends. Secrecy is just a mistress.

?: I… why do you say weird things?

Yukino: Hm… I don't know. Maybe it's because of my punishment?

?: Oh.