The Bad Boy and the Baby

A/N: Hey people, sorry for the delay, my life has been crazy. All explanations in the last author note. Please read it!! Thank you for the reviews.

Chapter 11:

It was the shifting noises on the couch, which began to irk Naruto. He frowned trying to concentrate on the book he was reading…trying to read at least. Every time he got used to the noise and tried to get to the next page, a new noise would begin. As he tuned the shifting noise out, exactly when he did so…a clicking noise started up. Naruto grit his teeth and glanced at the couch. Sasuke had picked up one of those weird puzzles that he’d brought back from his travels. A puzzle where you had to get all the coloured squares into groups of the same colour. Naruto watched him a while, all that while wanting to pull the thing away from him.

The other man’s dark hair was mussed and his tongue darted out frequently wetting his lips as he tried to work the pieces into place. A thing that would have aroused Naruto had it not been for three facts. One he was heavily pregnant, two Sasuke’s leg was moving constantly and three, restlessness brimmed in Sasuke’s eyes. All these things were making Naruto mad. He was sitting here as a woman and Sasuke couldn’t even say anything to make it better. Sasuke wanted to be out and doing something…it was easy to see that he didn’t want to be cooped up here.

Something big was missing and it was---comfort. Before there used to be this kind of comfort where they could just sit around together doing something or nothing by themselves, just silently enjoying the fact that he other was there. That was gone now. What was left was just impatience, restlessness and irritation…for am minute Naruto felt a cloying desperation for things to return to before or that semblance of normality that had been. But it was only for a minute. He pursed his lips and decided he had, had enough of this at least.

“Why don’t you just o wherever that is you want to go….”

Sasuke looked up, his spouse’s voice jolting him out of his contemplation of the puzzle. “Hm?”

“I said, you seem pretty restless…you seem to want to go somewhere so why don’t you just go?” Naruto’s girl voice was soft, but there was a hint of something steely beneath all that softness. It was as soft as metal.

Sasuke met those emotionless blue eyes with his own dark ones. “I’m staying here…I have no where to go…”

Naruto’s laugh echoed through the empty lifeless apartment. Sincere amusement filled the blond’s eyes. “Sasuke…you’ve been going off somewhere for the past few months. You even left me at the hospital when your chakra was needed. I might be your dobe, but it doesn’t mean that I’m stupid…”

Sasuke tried to say something but Naruto continued. “…all I’m saying is, if there’s something so important that you must leave me and our child behind for it, then go do whatever it is. I’ll wait for you all right?”

“I don’t have anything…”

Naruto cut him off again. “Don’t lie to me or deny it now, Sasuke. We both know that you’ve disappearing off to god knows where, these past few months. I don’t want to know about it…I can see you don’t want me to know ok?”

Sasuke hung his head a bit. He wondered if Naruto knew exactly that he was doing, but looking at those peaceful blue eyes, he decided that he didn’t. If Naruto knew that he was sleeping with someone, then the blond would murder him…he wouldn’t act this way. So basically Naruto only knew that something important was going on. He sighed. “You’re right…I don’t want you to know…I’m sorry.”

Naruto stood up. “Go ahead then. I’ll wait as long as it takes…because I know you love me…and I love you too. I need a nap…so when I wake up, I hope to see you here…”

“It’s important Naruto…”

Naruto smiled. “I know…” The balls in your court…do what you wish…Sasuke…

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Itachi knocked on the door, his arms full of fruit. The door opened and a pair of sky blue eyes looked at him, before the whiskered face broke into a smile. The blond moved aside to let the Uchiha in.

“Come in, Itachi…long time no see. Sasuke’s out training, he’ll be in soon.” Naruto moved aside to let the taller man enter. He caught the way Itachi looked at him and grinned all the more widely. “Um…the due date seems to be closer, so baa-chan decided I must transform all ready.”

“You still look beautiful; I really envy my brother Naruto-kun.” Itachi claimed an armchair and gestured for Naruto to sit down as well.

“Yeah right, Itachi-san…we all know you only have eyes for Mirai!” Naruto gave him a teasing smile. “Now would you like some tea or some juice?”

“Juice, Naruto-kun. But I’ll get I myself.” He saw Naruto’s expression and hastened o explain. “I just don’t like being waited on hand and foot…”

Naruto let Itachi help himself. Truth to be told he was glad he didn’t have to get up again. His back was hurting. Nowadays he seemed to have good days when he could walk around and bad days when all he wanted to do was stay in bed. His feet hurt horribly today…he sighed. He accepted the juice Itachi offered him and then took some time to observe his brother-in-law. Itachi had been away on a mission for two months now. He seemed tired and it hit Naruto that the Uchiha might have just gotten back and hastened to come and see them. “How did your mission go?”

“I left the reports on your father’s desk. He suspects that a war is coming and so do I…” tiny new lines had appeared on Itachi’s face making him look older. “Troops are mobilizing in Rice Field country.”

“Then Otou-san should start gathering our troops too, ne? Konoha seems to have gotten too used to peace.” He watched Itachi as hey mused on this piece of news. “Itachi, you look tired, why don’t you stay here tonight? I don’t think otou-san has anymore missions for you, today at least. Take the spare room…no please don’t argue just go to bed ok?”

Itachi reluctantly agreed, but was grateful as he moment his head hit the pillow he was asleep. His dreams were plagued with nightmares he couldn’t wake from. Outside Naruto sat quietly reading a baby book for the third time. He wished Sasuke would return….but then again what was the point? Sasuke hardly ever spoke to him now. It took about four hours for Sasuke to actually turn up.

Sasuke found Naruto on the couch with his head resting on its back, talking to Itachi who was currently cooking dinner. He saw the way Naruto’s eyes lit up when he looked at him, but chose to ignore it. It didn’t help that he’d returned with Orochimaru’s filth all over him in front of his brother. “Aniki…”

“I finished my mission. I’m staying over.”

Sasuke held back from clenching his jaw. He nodded to Itachi and then went on his way. “I’m going to take a shower.” He didn’t deign say anything to Naruto. The blond watched him go and then forced himself to be cheerful, while continuing his conversation with Itachi.

The whole evening Itachi watched them interact. Sasuke spoke in monosyllables having nothing interesting to add to the conversation, while Naruto took it up on himself to keep the conversation going. But anytime Naruto needed anything, Sasuke would run to get it and Itachi knowing his brother so well, caught the slight guilt that seeped into his eyes. Naruto seemed happy and calm, but there was no missing the invisible barrier that seemed to have been erected between them both. It was like watching a war go on, with Naruto laying siege to the barrier with alacrity and Sasuke striving to keep it up.

Naruto stood after dinner and announced that he was tired and wanted to get to bed, which left Itachi alone with a cold and impassive Sasuke. They made their way to the small balcony. Itachi could see the recent changes in Sasuke at once. Sasuke was withdrawn and desperately obsessed with something. The only ounce of feeling he’d seen was the slight softening of Sasuke’s eyes towards Naruto, but there too, the feeling had been tightly held, cocooned to the point of non-existence. What the fuck had happened to Sasuke since Itachi had left? Why had he gone back to being the way he used to be? This Sasuke was the “bastard” Sasuke of the old…Itachi suddenly felt tired. Futility bubbled up inside him and it made him wish he knew what had happened when his parent’s had died.

He’d left his comrades to report back and made his way to the Uchiha compound. The whole place was quiet. He wondered what was going on and it only become apparent to him when he saw blood stains all over the place. Itachi ran into his home but found the house empty save for the copious amounts of blood all over. His parents…and Sasuke…hat had happened to them?

He had run all the way to the Mizukage’s office. The clan had been massacred and they had no idea who had done it. Sasuke was the sole survivor and had been found in the house screaming his lungs out. he hadn’t spoken since then.

Itachi had made his way to Sasuke’s ward, only to find his little brother curled up on one end of the bed, staring at nothing. The boy had jumped a mile high, when Itachi had reached for him, even though his fingers had barely touched him. After regarding him for a long while, Sasuke had finally whispered an “aniki” and very slowly moved towards him. He’d cried then, long and hard. He’d said he had no idea who had massacred the clan. Itachi had believed they could make it through, but in the days following the incident, he’d found his eight year old brother sitting all by himself, deep in thought…a glint seemed to be making itself known in his eyes.

Sasuke had thrown himself into his ninja training…something drove him…he turned into an exceptional ninja. But the same thing that made Sasuke the best ninja made him urn into a gang leader and forbidden scroll trader. It was the same thing that made Sasuke shun emotion of any form and withdraw. Itachi had tried for years to figure out what had happened, what had turned Sasuke into this but time and time again he’d failed.

Now Itachi watched his little brother, hating this regression that was occurring. He attempted to begin a conversation. “So how are Naruto-kun and the baby?”

“They’re fine. We don’t know when the baby will be due, that might be soon.” Sasuke didn’t look too concerned. It seemed his thoughts were elsewhere.

This attitude grated on Itachi’s nerves. He hated to admit that he’d gotten used to the nice side Sasuke had developed before he’d left. “I heard from someone that you weren’t there when Naruto needed to go through the “transformation”. Why not? Where were you Sasuke?” Itachi’s voice was quiet.

“Training.”

“Training. You went to train when your husband and baby might have possibly been in danger?”

Sasuke noted the disapproval in his older brother’s voice, but decided that he didn’t need to waste any emotion on that. “It was imperative that I left at that point of time. I have things to do and I don’t intend to let bonds like the one with Naruto hold me back.”

Itachi’s face scrunched in distaste. “I see.” Itachi moved to the door. “I think I’ll retire to bed.” He paused a moment without turning around. “We lost one family Sasuke, don’t lose the other one.”

Sasuke slammed his hand against the railing. He inhaled deeply. “I don’t intend to.” I’ll murder that Uchitake bastard and so it no matter what. And Naruto is NOT going to stop me!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Naruto inhaled deeply…he loved the air up here. Sitting on his father’s head at Mt. Hokage was his favourite pastime. Though it took him ages of careful climbing to get him up here nowadays. He rubbed his stomach happily. “Look baby, that’s our village!!” Checking the time he decided to go back home soon. It got dark very early these days and he had to get down before it got too dangerous to do so. He looked forward to a nap and maybe a cup of tea. As he made his way back home, Teuchi-san from Ichiraku’s hailed him. Knowing about his condition, Teuchi-san had made him a bowl of healthy ramen full of good meat and vegetables.

“Thank you, Teuchi-san.” Naruto dug in with gusto, enjoying his favourite food.

“You’re welcome Naruto-kun! And I have to say, you make a very pretty girl!” the big man chuckled and patted Naruto’s cheek. “How is Sasuke-kun?”

“Sasuke is fine. He’s very busy right now, so I don’t get to see him much.” Naruto willed the sad feeling creeping over him away.

The flaps hanging in front of Ichiraku’s were pulled open and Takeshi-san stepped in. he stopped short as he saw Naruto, before his face broke into a smile. “Naruto-san, how are you?”

“I’m fine thank you. I was a little hungry and Teuchi-san decided to make my day by offering a bowl of ramen. What brings you here?”

“I was hungry too. Mind if I join you?” Ran took a seat next to Naruto and ordered a beef ramen. They made light conversation throughout the meal. Naruto always enjoyed the distraction that Ran’s company afforded from Sasuke’s absence. Ran always enjoyed being with the beautiful blond, willing time not to pass.

An hour passed by the time they walked home, dawdling on the way to pick up a yellow jumpsuit for the baby. Ran also bought tiny yellow baby socks. When they finally reached Naruto’s apartment, Naruto went straight to the couch and plonked himself down on it. He switched on ninja soccer which he’d suddenly developed an interest in and proceeded to get completely engrossed in a match. A cup of tea materialized in front of him and he smiled up at Ran gratefully. The long haired man took a seat next to him and watched the rest of the game with the blond.

Switching off the television after the game, Naruto set his cup down and sighed. “You make awesome tea, Ran. It’s almost as good as Sasuke’s…makes me feel all calm and relaxed.” He didn’t see he slightly annoyed look that passed over Ran’s face. “I miss him…”

“I haven’t seen this husband of yours yet, you know…makes me wonder if he’s real…” Ran’s tone was sardonic.

“Of course he’s real…he’s just very very busy!” Naruto looked up at Ran’s face for a moment. “You look annoyed…is something the matter?”

“Nothing.”

“Oh…fine then. I was thinking maybe this weekend when Sasuke returns we could meet up?” Naruto sighed and laid his head back on the couch.

“Che….I don’t think I’d want to.”

Naruto’s azure eyes opened wide. “What’s wrong? You really sound pissed…you know you can tell me…”

“He doesn’t deserve you! A person like you does not deserve to be treated the way he treats you! Can’t Sasuke see what he’s got? How can any man, who has someone like you, neglect you? You’re going to have his child dammit! No matter what the reason is, he should trust you enough to tell you about it or at least show you some love when he’s around!” Ran was breathing a little fast now; he was sitting at the edge of the couch like he wanted to jump off it or something.

“No. I know Sasuke’s off somewhere for a good reason…”

“How can you be so sure?”

“I just can! It’s Sasuke! Please don’t be so angry Ran…”

“He’s an asshole!”

“Stop it!!”

“I won’t…he’s a bastard!”

“I said shut up! You don’t know anything about him!”

“All I know is he doesn’t deserve someone like you! I don’t think he deserves anything he has!”

“Why do you care huh? Why the fuck do you care so much?”

Ran didn’t meet Naruto’s eyes. “I care about you. I’ve travelled all over the place…I’ve never ever met anyone like you! Even with my old girlfriend, I’ve never had these feelings before. I want to be by your side and make you smile. You have no idea what our smile is like…it’s warm and captivating. I want to stay by your side forever…you have no idea how jealous I am…of Sasuke.”

Ran shifted closer to Naruto. “I want to be the one lying next to you in bed, I want to be the one who makes your world the happiest one you’ve ever been in, I want to be the one who sees you in the mornings, I want to be here when you need someone to lean on…” He placed a hand on Naruto’s stomach. “I want to be the father of this child you’re carrying and I want to be the one who goes to the check ups with you. I want to be proud that your mine…that whenever you look at me all that love you have in you shines only for me! I’d cherish you…”

Ran turned to look into the shocked blue eyes. He leaned a little closer. “I never thought I’d ever feel this way before, but Naruto…I wish your eyes would soften the way they do when you talk about Sasuke, when you talk about me….I can’t help it. I love you…I love you more than that undeserving bastard ever could!”

Naruto stared at him. But before he could say anything, the soft lips of the beautiful man in front of him covered his lips. The kiss was soft, but at the same time it was very passionate, like Ran was trying to give him an insight into his feelings.

In the foyer, obsidian eyes took in the scene before him. His stomach turned into a pit of boiling rage as he suppressed his chakra signature. The Urge to kill the man who was kissing his “wife” coursed through him like molten lava. So Orochimaru was right….

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A/N: okay, so I’m single again. The past two weeks I’ve gone through one of the most harrowing break ups of my life and I feel like a prune. I hope there was enough emotion in this chapter, since I’m too drained of any at the moment and have strived to finish this to the best of my ability. Normally I wouldn’t admit this, but due to sudden outbursts of tears and crazy mood swings all lost over a man I almost fell in love with who is a complete bastard (we’re still friends though ) please do not flame me. Have mercy!!

Those of you who liked this chapter, please click on the review tab and give me some love cos I really need it! Thanks for all your other reviews!! And I’m really really sorry for the delay!

Love

Taka