Never Leave Me - Chapter 12
Chapter 12
Tsunade stared incredulously down at her favorite blond boy as he lay in the hospital bed, cold gel smeared over the bump of his exposed stomach as she held the remote and he stared at the screen. He’d refused a sonogram until he’d reached three months; halfway through the procedure, without looking at her but at the black and white screen, Naruto had asked for a paternity test.
Naruto finally turned his blue-eyed gaze back to her. “Is something wrong, baa-chan?”
“Naruto, you realize a paternity test won’t do you any good, don’t you? I don’t have samples from the Akatsuki members to test against; I couldn’t tell you who the father is.”
“Unless it’s Itachi. Baa-chan, I need to know if I’m carrying some warped family drama around in my stomach. I’ll have a hard enough time explaining the triplets to Sasuke when the time comes, I’d like to know ahead of time if I have say something along the lines of ‘oh yea, and the fourth one is your hated brother’s evil offspring, do you mind playing daddy to him or her too’.” Naruto stared at the small screen. “Is it a boy or a girl?”
“A boy.” Tsunade answered absently.
“Just one?”
She nodded, before biting her bottom lip in contemplation. “Would you consider an abortion if it is Itachi’s?”
Naruto scowled. “Why is everyone so dead-set on me having an abortion?”
“Because this pregnancy is dangerous Naruto, and we’re all afraid.” Tsunade told him in a gentle tone, trying to keep him calm. She put away the equipment and handed him a towel to clean himself off. “This is an Akatsuki baby, they will come for it, and they will come for you if it doesn’t work out in their favor. This is also a rape baby; the trauma of the rape will be hard enough without having the constant reminder literally staring you back in the face.”
“I can handle it. Just do the paternity test, please.” He muttered slightly crossly as he fixed his clothes and stood.
Tsunade sighed but nodded. “This way, we’ll do it now; the results will take a couple days.”
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“I don’t baby-sit.” Kiba glared into the house from the porch at the three toddlers watching TV.
“K-Kiba-kun…” Hinata whispered, poking her index fingers together.
“Live with it.” Shino deadpanned.
“We’re Chuunins; we shouldn’t be taking on these crappy Genin level assignments. Why can’t Naruto and his team baby-sit his own kids? He adopted them; he should take on the responsibilities.” Kiba pouted more than scowled, crossing his arms over his chest.
“Stop complaining, it’s only for a couple of hours.” Sakura huffed, hands on her hips.
“And why can’t any of you do it?” Kiba asked, mimicking her posture.
“Because Naruto is with Tsunade, I’m pulling a shift helping out in the hospital, Iruka-sensei is at the academy, Kakashi-sensei disappeared, and none of us trust Sai alone with them.” Sakura stepped up to the brown haired boy and stared him in the eyes, poking him in the chest with narrowed eyes. “It’s an official mission and you’re getting paid for it so stop complaining and get in that house before I throw you in.”
Wincing at the new bruise on his chest Kiba nodded.
The pink haired girl stepped back and glanced at the three-man team. “Any questions before I go?”
“I-I think you’ve told us everything, Sakura.” Hinata smiled softly.
“Twice.” Kiba grumbled.
“All right then, I’ll get going.” She smiled at them, wished them luck, and headed off the porch. Two steps from the front gate she paused and turned back. “Oh, and Shino-kun, Rin doesn’t like bugs that fly, anything else is fine.” She sent them one last fleeting grin before hurrying off.
Kiba stood in the threshold, staring in warily at the three innocent three-year-olds watching TV.
Hinata stepped into the house first; she sat on the couch with them and sent her male teammates an encouraging smile.
Shino glanced over at Kiba before stepping inside as well, taking up one of the armchairs.
Letting out a slight whine at the back of his throat, Kiba glanced over his shoulder at Akamaru who was happily romping around Iruka’s yard. “Lucky mutt.” He sulked before stepping inside the house and closing the door behind him.
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Naruto came home to the sound of his kids squealing happily and a large dog barking coming from the back yard, and headed around back; he smiled at the sight. The triplets were soaking wet and running away from Akamaru, who was covered in suds and chasing them with the hose in his mouth. Kiba, equally soaked, was chasing his loyal partner and utterly failing in his goal to get the hose back as every time he got too close the large dog turned his head and nearly drowned the brunet. Shino and Hinata stood in one spot, apparently the designated washing area, and laughed at the others while trying to avoid the sprays of water that would come their way.
“You guys are having fun, I see.” Naruto grinned as he came up behind the only stationary members of the party.
“N-Naruto-kun.” Hinata blushed and gave the blond a short bow in greeting.
“They’re good kids, Naruto.” Shino said, greeting him with a nod.
Naruto grinned brilliantly at the compliment. “They’re a handful though, ne?”
“You got that right.” Kiba huffed as he approached. He squeezed his shirt out on Naruto’s sandals, and flicked his wet hair in the blue-eyed boy’s face. “Does this mean you can take over now?”
Scrunching his face at the water attack, Naruto wiped the excess water away and scowled at the other teen. Shaking out his feet, he grinned at the Inuzuka. “I do believe you’re hired until Iruka-sensei gets home, which is still a few hours away.”
Kiba’s face dropped. “B-But you’re staying, right? I’ll tie you to a tree if you say ‘no’!” He shouted desperately, grabbing Naruto’s arms and shaking him.
Naruto snorted before outright laughing. “Kiba, you idiot, what’s wrong with you? You love kids.”
“These kids are evil, Naruto.” He whispered conspiratorially, clutching Naruto close to him and glancing over his shoulder at the toddlers still running from his dog. He turned back suddenly, clutching the blond so close that they were nose to nose. “I mean seriously, leave it to you to adopt a kid that looks and acts practically exactly like that Uchiha prick; and don’t even get me started on your little blond mini-me, it’s like baby-sitting you!” He hissed.
Naruto tried to squirm out of the brunet’s hold but found his efforts unsuccessful so he just leaned back as far as Kiba would let him. “Kiba…”
“Unless you plan to kiss him, I suggest you let him go, Kiba-kun.” Kakashi murmured into his book as he rounded the corner of Iruka’s house and entered the back yard.
Kiba paused a moment. “Maybe I’m trying to think of a way to thank him for arriving and taking these evil little minions off our hands.”
“Ew, dog-breath, get off me!” Naruto pushed at the other’s face and chest, trying to push him off.
Kiba laughed before throwing the blond over his shoulder and running after Akamaru. “Over here, boy!”
Akamaru turned towards them with a spray of water and a happy bark.
“No! Stop!” Naruto shouted laughingly. “Put me down, mutt-face!”
Everyone was too preoccupied watching Naruto and Kiba to notice Daisuke staring up into the trees behind the house. Daisuke had been attracted by movement in the trees, what he thought might be a large bird or animal turned out to be a person dressed in a black cloak with red clouds on it. It was a few moments before the figure noticed his staring and looked down at him, coal colored eyes meeting bright blue that seemed to glow under the shade of the trees.
“Daisuke, come on, we’re going inside to clean up.” Naruto called as he wrung out his shirt before picking up Rin and placing her on his hip. “Kiba, you better wring out your clothes before you step up on the porch or Iruka-sensei will have your head.” He looked up to see Daisuke still staring into the trees. “Daisuke! Get your butt over here now!”
Ginji giggled into his hands. “Daisuke-ahou is in trouble.”
“Akatsuki.” Daisuke murmured. The cloaked figure nodded at him.
Naruto, only hearing a mumble from the boy, handed Rin to Sakura, who’d only just arrived and glared at him for Rin’s wet clothes, and he stepped off the porch, heading for the boy. “Daisuke…”
This time, the black haired boy said it louder. “Akatsuki.”
Kakashi and Shino shot off the porch just as Naruto scooped up Daisuke; clutching him close the blond looked up into the trees. Itachi stared down at him, his dark eyes suddenly turning to the Sharingan; they were both still, just staring. The spell was broken when Kakashi and Shino rushed past him with a gush of wind and Kiba grabbed Naruto and hurried him into the house where the girls and Ginji waited.
Hinata and Sakura were up and watching the windows and doorways, while Rin and Ginji sat on the couch; Kiba hurriedly deposited Naruto on the couch before disappearing to help his male teammate and the Jounin.
Naruto clutched Daisuke close, his face buried in the fabric young boy’s navy t-shirt.
Seeming to understand Naruto’s distress, Daisuke wrapped his small arms around his ‘mother’s’ head. Fumbling, Ginji stood on the couch and trekked over two cushions to join them; he dropped to his knees, clutched Naruto’s bicep and leaned his head and the older blonde’s shoulder. Rin joined them a moment later, hugging Daisuke’s back and the larger tanned arms circling the boy’s waist, propping her head on her brother’s shoulder.
Kakashi and Shino trooped back into the house a few moments later, just as Iruka opened the front door.
Iruka took one look at his favorite student before darting his eyes over every face in the room. “What happened?” He approached the small family of four, soothingly running his fingers through Naruto’s sunflower colored hair and using his other hand to rub the teary-eyed little girl’s back.
“There was an Akatsuki member in the back yard.” Kakashi answered. “Kiba’s gone to let Hokage-sama know, but he got away.”
“It was Uncle.” Daisuke added.
“Well, he’s gone now.” The Jounin shrugged.
“How did he get inside the border?” Iruka raged, looking just like the mother-hen everyone claimed he was. “It’s bad enough he got in here once with the regular, semi-lax security, but it’s been upgraded to ridiculously over-the-top since Naruto’s return and you’re telling me he still got in!”
Kakashi approached the academy teacher as if he were a wild animal primed for attack. “Iruka, calm down.” He said as he gently placed his hands on the younger man’s shoulders. “Think about this, it’s Itachi, he has the Sharingan, remember?”
Scowling, Iruka nodded and turned back to Naruto. “Come on Naruto, let’s clean up the kids and make dinner.”
Slowly, Naruto eased his tight grip and untangled all four of them. Without saying a word he took Daisuke and Ginji into the bathroom, neither boy making any complaint, and started drawing a bath. Rin sat on the already damp couch cushions to watch TV until it was her turn.
“I-I’ll help you with d-dinner, Iruka-sensei.” Hinata announced amongst the tense atmosphere.
“Would you like us to stay, Iruka-sensei?” Shino asked.
Iruka let out a long suffering sigh before giving the bug-master a weak smile. “Thank you, Shino-kun, but we’ll be fine.”
Nodding, Shino excused himself and left.
“Let Kiba know.” Sakura called after him. She joined Rin on the couch, wrinkling her nose at the damp cushion.
“I think I’ll go talk to Hokage-sama, but I’ll be back for dinner.” Kakashi announced, but then paused in the doorway, staring off in the direction of the kitchen.
“Waiting for the ‘wife’ to come bid you farewell and a safe trip, ‘hubby’?” Sakura grinned wickedly at him.
The silver haired Jounin gave his student a blank stare before closing the door behind him.
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“Sakura-chan!”
The pink haired girl set down the chart in her hands and turned towards the shout of her name, smiling as Naruto came to a stop beside her. “What’s up, Naruto?”
Naruto grinned sheepishly and scratched the back of his head. “Would you do me a favor?”
Sakura cocked her head and then her hip. “That depends, what kind of favor?”
“I’m on my way to see baa-chan. I asked her for a paternity test and she finally has the results, would you come with me?”
Sakura thought for a moment about whether this was something she should encourage Naruto to do on his own, or if it was something he needed a friend for. She watched him, and Naruto’s subtle twitching nerves sealed the deal. “OK, Naruto, I’ll come.” She gave him a bright, encouraging smile. “Lead the way.”
The blonde’s muscles relaxed noticeably at her response, but his smile remained nervous. “Thanks.” He then led the way as she asked.
Sakura sat on the cushioned exam table with Naruto, clutching both of his hands in hers and trying to relax him as they waited for Tsunade to make her appearance. A moment later the door creaked open, almost ominously, and their graciously endowed village leader stepped into the room empty handed, her face giving nothing away.
“Just spit it out for me, baa-chan; let’s get it over with.”
Tsunade leaned back against the closed door and crossed her arms over her chest, her brow furrowed. “Itachi is not the father.”
Naruto let out a small breath that he’d been holding; Sakura squeezed his hands again and smiled happily for him.
“But,” Tsunade barked out, drawing their attention back to her as she stepped away from the door. She locked eyes with Naruto and frowned. “Naruto, the father of that baby,” she pointed to his stomach but kept his gaze. “Is an Uchiha. It’s not Sasuke or Itachi, but it is an Uchiha.”
“How is that possible?” Sakura asked, her grip on the blond suddenly going lax in her surprise. “The Uchiha massacre left only Sasuke alive; how is this possible? Is the test right?”
Tsunade slowly shook her head. “I checked the test several times. But if you think about it, it makes sense.”
“What part of this makes sense?” Sakura’s voice took on a new pitch as she practically scolded the Hokage.
“The part about the Uchiha massacre; no matter how good, Itachi couldn’t have killed the entire Uchiha clan by himself, genius or not. A thirteen-year-old genius ANBU could not have killed such a mass amount of highly trained shinobi single-handedly, even with a Sharingan as developed as Itachi’s.”
“You’re suggesting he had help?” Sakura was about to ask more when Naruto suddenly jumped from the table and dashed towards the exam room door, throwing it open. “Naruto!”
“Gaki, where are you going?” Tsunade loosely grabbed his arm, just enough to momentarily halt him.
“I need to tell Sasuke!” He pulled his arm loose and dashed down the hall.
“Wait…!” Tsunade called after him.
“I’ll get him, Tsunade-sama.” Sakura announced before darting off down the hall after her teammate.
Tsunade opened her mouth to call any able-bodied shinobi in the area to join the chase but the words caught in her throat. She bit her bottom lip and watched her pink haired apprentice’s back until she turned a sharp corner and disappeared out of sight. “I trust you, Sakura. I trust that kind of love, because I know exactly how it feels.” She blindly clutched at the place where her necklace once hung. Straightening her back, she began the trek back to her office, leaving her worries for the blond boy to the pink haired girl.
Tsunade stared incredulously down at her favorite blond boy as he lay in the hospital bed, cold gel smeared over the bump of his exposed stomach as she held the remote and he stared at the screen. He’d refused a sonogram until he’d reached three months; halfway through the procedure, without looking at her but at the black and white screen, Naruto had asked for a paternity test.
Naruto finally turned his blue-eyed gaze back to her. “Is something wrong, baa-chan?”
“Naruto, you realize a paternity test won’t do you any good, don’t you? I don’t have samples from the Akatsuki members to test against; I couldn’t tell you who the father is.”
“Unless it’s Itachi. Baa-chan, I need to know if I’m carrying some warped family drama around in my stomach. I’ll have a hard enough time explaining the triplets to Sasuke when the time comes, I’d like to know ahead of time if I have say something along the lines of ‘oh yea, and the fourth one is your hated brother’s evil offspring, do you mind playing daddy to him or her too’.” Naruto stared at the small screen. “Is it a boy or a girl?”
“A boy.” Tsunade answered absently.
“Just one?”
She nodded, before biting her bottom lip in contemplation. “Would you consider an abortion if it is Itachi’s?”
Naruto scowled. “Why is everyone so dead-set on me having an abortion?”
“Because this pregnancy is dangerous Naruto, and we’re all afraid.” Tsunade told him in a gentle tone, trying to keep him calm. She put away the equipment and handed him a towel to clean himself off. “This is an Akatsuki baby, they will come for it, and they will come for you if it doesn’t work out in their favor. This is also a rape baby; the trauma of the rape will be hard enough without having the constant reminder literally staring you back in the face.”
“I can handle it. Just do the paternity test, please.” He muttered slightly crossly as he fixed his clothes and stood.
Tsunade sighed but nodded. “This way, we’ll do it now; the results will take a couple days.”
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“I don’t baby-sit.” Kiba glared into the house from the porch at the three toddlers watching TV.
“K-Kiba-kun…” Hinata whispered, poking her index fingers together.
“Live with it.” Shino deadpanned.
“We’re Chuunins; we shouldn’t be taking on these crappy Genin level assignments. Why can’t Naruto and his team baby-sit his own kids? He adopted them; he should take on the responsibilities.” Kiba pouted more than scowled, crossing his arms over his chest.
“Stop complaining, it’s only for a couple of hours.” Sakura huffed, hands on her hips.
“And why can’t any of you do it?” Kiba asked, mimicking her posture.
“Because Naruto is with Tsunade, I’m pulling a shift helping out in the hospital, Iruka-sensei is at the academy, Kakashi-sensei disappeared, and none of us trust Sai alone with them.” Sakura stepped up to the brown haired boy and stared him in the eyes, poking him in the chest with narrowed eyes. “It’s an official mission and you’re getting paid for it so stop complaining and get in that house before I throw you in.”
Wincing at the new bruise on his chest Kiba nodded.
The pink haired girl stepped back and glanced at the three-man team. “Any questions before I go?”
“I-I think you’ve told us everything, Sakura.” Hinata smiled softly.
“Twice.” Kiba grumbled.
“All right then, I’ll get going.” She smiled at them, wished them luck, and headed off the porch. Two steps from the front gate she paused and turned back. “Oh, and Shino-kun, Rin doesn’t like bugs that fly, anything else is fine.” She sent them one last fleeting grin before hurrying off.
Kiba stood in the threshold, staring in warily at the three innocent three-year-olds watching TV.
Hinata stepped into the house first; she sat on the couch with them and sent her male teammates an encouraging smile.
Shino glanced over at Kiba before stepping inside as well, taking up one of the armchairs.
Letting out a slight whine at the back of his throat, Kiba glanced over his shoulder at Akamaru who was happily romping around Iruka’s yard. “Lucky mutt.” He sulked before stepping inside the house and closing the door behind him.
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Naruto came home to the sound of his kids squealing happily and a large dog barking coming from the back yard, and headed around back; he smiled at the sight. The triplets were soaking wet and running away from Akamaru, who was covered in suds and chasing them with the hose in his mouth. Kiba, equally soaked, was chasing his loyal partner and utterly failing in his goal to get the hose back as every time he got too close the large dog turned his head and nearly drowned the brunet. Shino and Hinata stood in one spot, apparently the designated washing area, and laughed at the others while trying to avoid the sprays of water that would come their way.
“You guys are having fun, I see.” Naruto grinned as he came up behind the only stationary members of the party.
“N-Naruto-kun.” Hinata blushed and gave the blond a short bow in greeting.
“They’re good kids, Naruto.” Shino said, greeting him with a nod.
Naruto grinned brilliantly at the compliment. “They’re a handful though, ne?”
“You got that right.” Kiba huffed as he approached. He squeezed his shirt out on Naruto’s sandals, and flicked his wet hair in the blue-eyed boy’s face. “Does this mean you can take over now?”
Scrunching his face at the water attack, Naruto wiped the excess water away and scowled at the other teen. Shaking out his feet, he grinned at the Inuzuka. “I do believe you’re hired until Iruka-sensei gets home, which is still a few hours away.”
Kiba’s face dropped. “B-But you’re staying, right? I’ll tie you to a tree if you say ‘no’!” He shouted desperately, grabbing Naruto’s arms and shaking him.
Naruto snorted before outright laughing. “Kiba, you idiot, what’s wrong with you? You love kids.”
“These kids are evil, Naruto.” He whispered conspiratorially, clutching Naruto close to him and glancing over his shoulder at the toddlers still running from his dog. He turned back suddenly, clutching the blond so close that they were nose to nose. “I mean seriously, leave it to you to adopt a kid that looks and acts practically exactly like that Uchiha prick; and don’t even get me started on your little blond mini-me, it’s like baby-sitting you!” He hissed.
Naruto tried to squirm out of the brunet’s hold but found his efforts unsuccessful so he just leaned back as far as Kiba would let him. “Kiba…”
“Unless you plan to kiss him, I suggest you let him go, Kiba-kun.” Kakashi murmured into his book as he rounded the corner of Iruka’s house and entered the back yard.
Kiba paused a moment. “Maybe I’m trying to think of a way to thank him for arriving and taking these evil little minions off our hands.”
“Ew, dog-breath, get off me!” Naruto pushed at the other’s face and chest, trying to push him off.
Kiba laughed before throwing the blond over his shoulder and running after Akamaru. “Over here, boy!”
Akamaru turned towards them with a spray of water and a happy bark.
“No! Stop!” Naruto shouted laughingly. “Put me down, mutt-face!”
Everyone was too preoccupied watching Naruto and Kiba to notice Daisuke staring up into the trees behind the house. Daisuke had been attracted by movement in the trees, what he thought might be a large bird or animal turned out to be a person dressed in a black cloak with red clouds on it. It was a few moments before the figure noticed his staring and looked down at him, coal colored eyes meeting bright blue that seemed to glow under the shade of the trees.
“Daisuke, come on, we’re going inside to clean up.” Naruto called as he wrung out his shirt before picking up Rin and placing her on his hip. “Kiba, you better wring out your clothes before you step up on the porch or Iruka-sensei will have your head.” He looked up to see Daisuke still staring into the trees. “Daisuke! Get your butt over here now!”
Ginji giggled into his hands. “Daisuke-ahou is in trouble.”
“Akatsuki.” Daisuke murmured. The cloaked figure nodded at him.
Naruto, only hearing a mumble from the boy, handed Rin to Sakura, who’d only just arrived and glared at him for Rin’s wet clothes, and he stepped off the porch, heading for the boy. “Daisuke…”
This time, the black haired boy said it louder. “Akatsuki.”
Kakashi and Shino shot off the porch just as Naruto scooped up Daisuke; clutching him close the blond looked up into the trees. Itachi stared down at him, his dark eyes suddenly turning to the Sharingan; they were both still, just staring. The spell was broken when Kakashi and Shino rushed past him with a gush of wind and Kiba grabbed Naruto and hurried him into the house where the girls and Ginji waited.
Hinata and Sakura were up and watching the windows and doorways, while Rin and Ginji sat on the couch; Kiba hurriedly deposited Naruto on the couch before disappearing to help his male teammate and the Jounin.
Naruto clutched Daisuke close, his face buried in the fabric young boy’s navy t-shirt.
Seeming to understand Naruto’s distress, Daisuke wrapped his small arms around his ‘mother’s’ head. Fumbling, Ginji stood on the couch and trekked over two cushions to join them; he dropped to his knees, clutched Naruto’s bicep and leaned his head and the older blonde’s shoulder. Rin joined them a moment later, hugging Daisuke’s back and the larger tanned arms circling the boy’s waist, propping her head on her brother’s shoulder.
Kakashi and Shino trooped back into the house a few moments later, just as Iruka opened the front door.
Iruka took one look at his favorite student before darting his eyes over every face in the room. “What happened?” He approached the small family of four, soothingly running his fingers through Naruto’s sunflower colored hair and using his other hand to rub the teary-eyed little girl’s back.
“There was an Akatsuki member in the back yard.” Kakashi answered. “Kiba’s gone to let Hokage-sama know, but he got away.”
“It was Uncle.” Daisuke added.
“Well, he’s gone now.” The Jounin shrugged.
“How did he get inside the border?” Iruka raged, looking just like the mother-hen everyone claimed he was. “It’s bad enough he got in here once with the regular, semi-lax security, but it’s been upgraded to ridiculously over-the-top since Naruto’s return and you’re telling me he still got in!”
Kakashi approached the academy teacher as if he were a wild animal primed for attack. “Iruka, calm down.” He said as he gently placed his hands on the younger man’s shoulders. “Think about this, it’s Itachi, he has the Sharingan, remember?”
Scowling, Iruka nodded and turned back to Naruto. “Come on Naruto, let’s clean up the kids and make dinner.”
Slowly, Naruto eased his tight grip and untangled all four of them. Without saying a word he took Daisuke and Ginji into the bathroom, neither boy making any complaint, and started drawing a bath. Rin sat on the already damp couch cushions to watch TV until it was her turn.
“I-I’ll help you with d-dinner, Iruka-sensei.” Hinata announced amongst the tense atmosphere.
“Would you like us to stay, Iruka-sensei?” Shino asked.
Iruka let out a long suffering sigh before giving the bug-master a weak smile. “Thank you, Shino-kun, but we’ll be fine.”
Nodding, Shino excused himself and left.
“Let Kiba know.” Sakura called after him. She joined Rin on the couch, wrinkling her nose at the damp cushion.
“I think I’ll go talk to Hokage-sama, but I’ll be back for dinner.” Kakashi announced, but then paused in the doorway, staring off in the direction of the kitchen.
“Waiting for the ‘wife’ to come bid you farewell and a safe trip, ‘hubby’?” Sakura grinned wickedly at him.
The silver haired Jounin gave his student a blank stare before closing the door behind him.
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“Sakura-chan!”
The pink haired girl set down the chart in her hands and turned towards the shout of her name, smiling as Naruto came to a stop beside her. “What’s up, Naruto?”
Naruto grinned sheepishly and scratched the back of his head. “Would you do me a favor?”
Sakura cocked her head and then her hip. “That depends, what kind of favor?”
“I’m on my way to see baa-chan. I asked her for a paternity test and she finally has the results, would you come with me?”
Sakura thought for a moment about whether this was something she should encourage Naruto to do on his own, or if it was something he needed a friend for. She watched him, and Naruto’s subtle twitching nerves sealed the deal. “OK, Naruto, I’ll come.” She gave him a bright, encouraging smile. “Lead the way.”
The blonde’s muscles relaxed noticeably at her response, but his smile remained nervous. “Thanks.” He then led the way as she asked.
Sakura sat on the cushioned exam table with Naruto, clutching both of his hands in hers and trying to relax him as they waited for Tsunade to make her appearance. A moment later the door creaked open, almost ominously, and their graciously endowed village leader stepped into the room empty handed, her face giving nothing away.
“Just spit it out for me, baa-chan; let’s get it over with.”
Tsunade leaned back against the closed door and crossed her arms over her chest, her brow furrowed. “Itachi is not the father.”
Naruto let out a small breath that he’d been holding; Sakura squeezed his hands again and smiled happily for him.
“But,” Tsunade barked out, drawing their attention back to her as she stepped away from the door. She locked eyes with Naruto and frowned. “Naruto, the father of that baby,” she pointed to his stomach but kept his gaze. “Is an Uchiha. It’s not Sasuke or Itachi, but it is an Uchiha.”
“How is that possible?” Sakura asked, her grip on the blond suddenly going lax in her surprise. “The Uchiha massacre left only Sasuke alive; how is this possible? Is the test right?”
Tsunade slowly shook her head. “I checked the test several times. But if you think about it, it makes sense.”
“What part of this makes sense?” Sakura’s voice took on a new pitch as she practically scolded the Hokage.
“The part about the Uchiha massacre; no matter how good, Itachi couldn’t have killed the entire Uchiha clan by himself, genius or not. A thirteen-year-old genius ANBU could not have killed such a mass amount of highly trained shinobi single-handedly, even with a Sharingan as developed as Itachi’s.”
“You’re suggesting he had help?” Sakura was about to ask more when Naruto suddenly jumped from the table and dashed towards the exam room door, throwing it open. “Naruto!”
“Gaki, where are you going?” Tsunade loosely grabbed his arm, just enough to momentarily halt him.
“I need to tell Sasuke!” He pulled his arm loose and dashed down the hall.
“Wait…!” Tsunade called after him.
“I’ll get him, Tsunade-sama.” Sakura announced before darting off down the hall after her teammate.
Tsunade opened her mouth to call any able-bodied shinobi in the area to join the chase but the words caught in her throat. She bit her bottom lip and watched her pink haired apprentice’s back until she turned a sharp corner and disappeared out of sight. “I trust you, Sakura. I trust that kind of love, because I know exactly how it feels.” She blindly clutched at the place where her necklace once hung. Straightening her back, she began the trek back to her office, leaving her worries for the blond boy to the pink haired girl.