Chapter Text
*I DON'T OWN NARUTO*
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It was a warm April night in Konoha, and Sakura sat alone in her apartment. The young medic-nin was silent, perched on the edge of her bed. Outside, voices drifted faintly through her window—distant, fading in and out—until they blurred altogether. Her mind spiraled with what-ifs, teetering on the edge of panic.
Just as a wave of anxiety threatened to drown her, a sudden burst of laughter from the street jolted her back. She blinked, disoriented, realizing she wasn't sure how long she'd been sitting like that. Her cheeks were streaked with the remnants of long-dried tears, and she gripped the sheets beneath her tightly, trying to steady herself.
"Breathe, Sakura. Breathe. Ripping your sheets won't help anything."
She exhaled slowly and glanced down at her bare feet, swinging lightly above the floor. Her stomach twisted, and she clenched her jaw to keep herself from throwing up right then and there. The nausea passed, slowly.
Sakura rose and headed to the kitchen. Food was out of the question, but a cup of chamomile tea might help. She rummaged through her cabinets until she found the kettle buried behind bento boxes and pans. After rinsing it out, she set it on the stove and lit the burner before heading back to her room.
"I need to talk to someone," she whispered, pulling her cell phone off her nightstand. "There's only one person who'll know what to say."
She scrolled through her contacts until she found Ino—except instead of her blonde best friend, the photo on-screen was a snapshot of Tonton from last summer.
"Ino would lose it if she saw this," Sakura muttered with a faint smile. "At least I got Tonton's good side."
But her amusement vanished when her eyes caught something lying on her bed—the pregnancy test she'd taken earlier. Still positive.
Back in the kitchen, she turned off the flame to let the tea steep and pulled out two cups. Just as she moved to sit down, a loud knock rattled her front door.
Sakura rolled her eyes. "Good grief, Ino, hold on."
She opened the door to find a slightly frazzled Ino on the other side.
"This better be important," Ino huffed, brushing past her. "I was on my way to meet Tenten. You said you weren't feeling well earlier—fine, sure—but now you want a house call?"
"I called because you're my best friend," Sakura said, her voice low. "I don't know who else to turn to."
Ino paused mid-sigh, the sarcasm leaving her face.
"Oh," she said quietly.
"I could've gone to Tsunade-sama, but… this is personal. Too personal."
"Well now I feel like a total bitch," Ino said, her voice softening. "What's wrong?"
Sakura didn't answer. Instead, she flung her arms around Ino and burst into tears. Ino stumbled from the force of it—Sakura always forgot her own strength—but quickly wrapped her arms around her trembling friend.
"I don't know what I'm going to do," Sakura sobbed into her shoulder.
"Okay, now you're really freaking me out," Ino said. "What happened?"
Sakura mumbled something incoherent, tears muffling her words. Ino gently pulled her back, gripping her by the shoulders.
The kettle whistled sharply.
"Alright, missy, we're talking this out," Ino said, guiding her to the kitchen.
Once she had Sakura seated, Ino poured the tea and brought it to the table. They sat in silence, sipping slowly, letting the warmth calm the edge off the moment.
"So?" Ino prompted.
Sakura met her gaze with a sigh. "It's about Naruto and me."
Ino's eyes narrowed. "Did that idiot break up with you? Because if he did, I swear—"
"No! Nothing like that," Sakura cut in. "We're happy. Really."
"Then what is it?"
Sakura hesitated.
"Well?"
"I'm pregnant," Sakura blurted.
She flinched at her own volume.
"You're what?!" Ino shrieked, leaping up from her chair. "Naruto knocked you up?!"
"Keep your voice down!" Sakura hissed. "I don't need the whole building knowing."
"Sorry! But wow. This is the last thing I expected today."
"Trust me, I didn't see it coming either."
"I thought you were on the pill."
"I was. And Naruto always uses a condom. I don't know what happened."
The room fell quiet. After a few moments, Ino sat back down, looking uncharacteristically serious.
"So… are you going to keep it?"
Sakura stared at her tea, then nodded. "Of course I am. I never even considered not keeping it."
"Then what's the problem? You and Naruto are in love. You're in a good place. Yeah, you're young, but it's not like you're doing this alone. Naruto will be thrilled."
Sakura didn't reply. Her fingers traced the rim of her teacup.
"You are going to tell him, right?"
"That's the part I'm scared of," Sakura admitted. "He's so close to everything he's ever wanted—becoming Hokage. Tsunade-sama already told him he's starting training soon. What if this… delays all of that?"
Ino frowned. "But why would it? Just because you're pregnant doesn't mean he has to give up on everything."
"I know," Sakura said quietly. "But it feels like I'm going to be the one holding him back."
"I know Naruto's going to start taking more missions to help support me," Sakura said softly. "But that's going to leave him with zero time to train with Tsunade-sama."
Ino tilted her head. "You know she'd make an exception for you guys, right?"
"I know she would, but…"
"You're just a bundle of stress right now, huh?"
Sakura let out a shaky breath. "It's all just… so much, Ino. A baby changes everything. I don't have a plan. We're going to be responsible for an actual person, and I'm not even sure how I feel about being a mom."
"Okay, pause. Deep breath. You're spiraling."
Sakura inhaled and exhaled slowly.
"Better?" Ino asked. "Look, I get that your brain is doing cartwheels right now. But you shouldn't be scared to tell Naruto."
"I know," Sakura murmured.
"He loves you, forehead. You're his whole world. He's not going to flip out. And hey, it's not like you got pregnant on your own. You guys used protection—sometimes that just doesn't cut it. This baby wasn't planned, but maybe it's meant to be. That's kind of amazing when you think about it."
Sakura blinked back a few more tears and smiled. "I never thought of it that way. Thanks, Ino. I know I messed up your plans with Tenten, but… I'm really glad you came."
"You didn't mess up anything," Ino said with a smirk. "Truth is, Tenten bailed on me last minute. I just didn't want to admit I was stuck at home in my pajamas watching reruns of 'Ninja Kitchen Nightmares.' I took it out on you and I'm sorry."
"Oh my god, you're unbelievable," Sakura said, lightly swatting her arm.
A bit of silence passed, then they both burst into laughter, the kind only best friends could share. Ino felt the tension in the room finally lift a little, and it warmed her to see Sakura smile again.
"Listen," Ino said. "We fight, we tease, but I've never doubted that you'll be an amazing mom. And that goofy boyfriend of yours? He's going to make a great dad."
"Thanks, Ino."
They chatted for a while longer at the kitchen table before migrating to Sakura's room, where Ino sprawled dramatically across the bed like it was her own. Sakura sat beside her, hugging a pillow.
"So, where is Naruto anyway? Haven't seen him around," Ino asked, making herself comfortable.
"He's on an S-rank mission in Suna. Recon or something, but I don't know the details. He's already been gone for three weeks."
"Same with Shikamaru," Ino said, perking up. "Also S-rank, super secret. Can't be a coincidence. Think they're together?"
"Probably. They've gotten pretty close over the years."
"Please, those two are in a full-blown bromance."
Sakura giggled.
"So," Ino began, eyes gleaming, "how are you going to tell Naruto the big news?"
Sakura's smile vanished. She fell backward, clutching her pillow. "Ugh. I've been so caught up in the shock, I haven't even thought about it. Part of me wants to just blurt it out, but that might literally give him a heart attack."
"Yeah, let's not kill the poor guy," Ino laughed. "Here's what I think: wait till he's home and settled. Let him get back into his routine, and then ease him into it."
"You think that'll work?"
"It's a guy thing," Ino said as she casually braided a lock of her hair. "Routine is like, sacred. Let him land before dropping the bomb."
Sakura peeked out from under her pillow fortress. "I guess that makes sense…"
A moment of silence.
"So," Ino grinned wickedly, patting the bed beside her, "was this bun in the oven made here, or at Naruto's place?"
Sakura's head snapped toward her, scandalized. "Ino!"
"What?" Ino said, laughing as Sakura chucked the pillow at her face. "We talk about everything—why get shy now?"
"You're asking me where my child was conceived!"
"And?"
"We are not having this conversation," Sakura said, grinning despite herself.
"Oh come on, spill! I always tell you stuff about Shikamaru!"
"Yeah, and I never ask you to!"
Sakura gave her a playful shove.
"It was here, wasn't it?" Ino teased with a smug smile.
Sakura's face flushed with embarrassment as she buried it in her hands. Ino, already sprawled out on the bed, couldn't stop laughing.
"Oh my god, Ino, please stop," Sakura groaned, covering her ears. "I don't want to hear this!"
"You are ridiculous," Ino cackled. "Look at you—acting all innocent now? You're the last person who should be blushing when it comes to sex."
"I am not—"
"Oh, please. Everyone's seen those bite marks on your neck. Don't think you've been slick."
"Ino!"
"I'm just saying!" she grinned. "Honestly, I give you props. Getting bitten looks like it hurts, but also? Kinda hot. I mean, Naruto's one with the Kyuubi now. He's got to be a total beast in bed."
"You have no idea," Sakura muttered without thinking.
Ino shot up. "Excuse me?!"
Sakura laughed, finally giving in. "Well, maybe don't act so surprised."
"That's not my fault, Miss Prudie Pie."
The two dissolved into laughter again. Sakura felt lighter, calmer—almost normal. Ino's presence was like a balm, her teasing and blunt honesty a welcome distraction. But she knew the comfort wouldn't last. When Ino left, all the fears and questions would creep back in.
Still, for tonight, she didn't want to think about it. She wanted to end the night on a good note. Tomorrow could wait.
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The soft light of morning slipped through the curtains. Sakura blinked her eyes open, instinctively rolling over to find the other side of the bed empty. She stared at the vacant space where she half-expected Naruto to be, then sighed.
Dragging herself out of bed, she crossed the room and opened the window. A breeze drifted in, cool and clean, fluttering her pink hair. The sky was soft and blue, like a watercolor wash. For a moment, everything felt still.
She was pregnant. There was no denying it anymore. No running from it.
Ino had stayed late the night before, even though she couldn't spend the night. Something about having to open the flower shop early. But before she'd left, she'd promised to keep Sakura's secret. And Sakura trusted her. The last thing she needed was Naruto hearing the news through the grapevine.
As she made her way to the bathroom, Sakura caught her reflection in the mirror. Her fingers instinctively drifted to her flat stomach. She stood there for a long time, just looking.
"This is really going to ruin my figure," she sighed.
She touched her belly more gently this time, her fingertips brushing over her skin.
"You're really in there, huh?" she whispered.
And just like that, the fear started to fade again. Ino had been right—Naruto wouldn't be angry. He'd step up. He always did. Every quality that made him a great shinobi would make him an even better father.
"Just wait until you meet your daddy," Sakura murmured, a small smile tugging at her lips. "He's the best."
The day was beautiful, deceptively so. The sun was out, the wind was soft, and the air smelled of summer. But as Sakura made her way toward the Hokage Tower, her chest felt heavier with each step.
She'd made up her mind during her shower: Tsunade needed to know.
As her mentor and her doctor, it was only right. But that didn't make it easier. She wasn't afraid of Tsunade—not really. But she was afraid of disappointing her. That fear twisted in her stomach and made her heart race as she climbed the endless steps to the Hokage's office.
Each one brought her closer to the conversation she'd been dreading.
'Maybe this was a mistake.' Sakura stood frozen at the top of the stairs, staring down the long hallway like it was a battlefield. 'Maybe I should just wait… wait until Naruto comes home, and we'll tell her together.'
But even as the thought formed, she knew it was too late for that. She'd already waited too long to take the test. Too long to face it. And Naruto—he could be gone for days still. Maybe weeks. She couldn't risk it.
The hallway felt too quiet. Each step sounded too loud. Her palms were damp, and her chest ached with nerves as she approached the tall, heavy doors of Tsunade's office.
Just as her hand hovered to knock, a voice called from within.
"Come in."
Sakura froze. Of course she knows I'm here, she thought as she pushed open the door. She always knows.
Tsunade didn't look up right away. Her desk was buried under scrolls, forms, and the ever-growing mountain of Hokage duties. Still, her presence filled the room with authority—and something warmer.
"Sakura?" Tsunade finally glanced up, raising a brow. "It's your day off. Why are you here?"
"I just thought… since Shizune's out, maybe you could use a hand." Sakura's voice cracked halfway through.
Tsunade leaned back in her chair, arms folding under her chest as she studied the younger woman. "Thoughtful of you. But that's not why you're here, is it?"
She gave a small smile. "You're here because of something else. Something life-changing. Like a baby."
Sakura's heart dropped into her stomach. Her mouth went dry. "How—how did you…?"
"Well," Tsunade said calmly, standing and walking to the window, "Well now I know for certain."
The silence that followed was thunderous. Sakura's cheeks burned with humiliation. She looked down, gripping her hands in front of her. "I… I didn't mean to hide it. I just… found out for sure yesterday."
"You don't need to explain." Tsunade's voice was quiet but firm. "But honestly Sakura, did you really think I wouldn't notice the changes? Your breathing's been off. You've had trouble focusing, and I saw how pale you looked last week.I can read your body like a chart."
Sakura's chest tightened as guilt flooded her. Her voice broke as she bowed deeply.
"I'm sorry. I never wanted to disappoint you."
The soft sound of Tsunade's sandals crossing the floor pulled Sakura's breath into her throat. She expected a reprimand—but instead, a gentle hand landed on her shoulder. She looked up, surprised to see the warm, familiar strength in Tsunade's eyes.
"Disappoint me? Sakura…" She pulled her student into a hug. "You're not a child anymore. You're twenty years old. You're young, yes—but you're an adult. And adults make hard choices, face real consequences, and sometimes…" Tsunade chuckled softly, "…fall hopelessly in love."
Sakura's throat clenched. The hug said more than words, and it was almost enough to unravel her.
"But we were careful," Sakura whispered when they pulled apart. "We were. We always used protection. I didn't think this could even happen…"
Tsunade gave her a knowing look. "Nothing's ever guaranteed, Sakura. You did what you could. But life has its own plans sometimes."
Sakura hesitated. "So you're really not mad?"
"I'm not mad." Tsunade sighed, her expression softening. "Would I have wanted you to wait until you were a bit older? Sure. Both you and Naruto are just getting started with your careers. But that doesn't mean I'm upset. It just means things are going to change. Especially your shinobi duties—for a while."
Sakura's smile faltered. That word—change—hit a little too hard.
"It's not me I'm worried about," she admitted quietly. "It's Naruto. This is going to change everything for him. His dream, it means everything to him. And now I'm just going to hold him back."
Tsunade shook her head, stepping close again. "No, you won't. And don't say that. Naruto has faced more obstacles than anyone I know. This won't break him. If anything, it'll strengthen him. And you know damn well I'd still make him Hokage—child or not. We'll find a way. Together."
Tears welled in Sakura's eyes, and she wiped them away, a few escaping anyway. "Thank you, Tsunade-sama. I needed to hear that more than I realized."
"I'm not going anywhere," Tsunade said, placing a hand over Sakura's. "You'll have me at every step. But right now, we've got a little one to start looking after."
She moved back to her desk, scribbling quickly on a notepad. When she tore the sheet free and handed it to Sakura, it looked like any other list of errands.
"I included some prenatal vitamins. Take this to the pharmacy department—but, it'll look like you're just doing a quick errand for me. No one will suspect a thing."
Sakura took the paper and gave a grateful nod. "You really thought of everything."
Tsunade smirked. "I figured you'd want to keep it quiet until Naruto gets back—which will be sooner than you think."
Sakura blinked. "What do you mean?"
"I got a hawk this morning. His team is en route. He'll be home tonight."
The world tilted slightly beneath Sakura's feet.
"Tonight…?" she whispered, heart pounding.
Tsunade reached out, brushing a lock of hair behind Sakura's ear.
"Everything's going to be okay."
