Not you, too!

21: Moving in, preparing for the baby and watching the world move around us


History was made.
Shiranui Ino gave birth to a healthy baby boy three weeks after their return.
Then came the wedding of the decade as Inuzuka Hana married Aburame Shino another month later. Hana’s dog had a litter of five pups to dedicate the day. It was considered a good sign and the village celebrated.
Sasuke was sitting in the quaint little cottage that he and Naruto had bought and Ino was trying to convince him to show her how he managed to get little Hayate to burp so easily.
“You know your own child, Ino. Don’t expect me to show you how to do everything.” He said.
“But, he likes you. Just show me how you get the diaper to stay on, it keeps falling off when I do it.” She begged.
“God, I am going to rent Naruto out to every expecting mother in this town so they can practice before they actually have to take care of their own baby.” He gruffed, as he took the baby and carried it to the waiting changing table and began the lesson.
Naruto chuckled from where he stood in the small yard and dug at the ground. He planned a surprise and didn’t want Sasuke to know about it just yet.
He lifted the pole and buried it deeply to keep it secure before moving on to the next pre-measured position and forcing the head of the shovel into the dirt.
In two weeks they were traveling to the Tea country to see Boss Jirochu and finalize arrangement for a secret ceremony that the boss is hosting.
Naruto smiled as he realized how surprised the people of Konoha will be when this is finished.

Tsunade smashed the small table and turned on the blonde Jounin that had just entered.
“Where is he, Naruto?” she asked.
“He is just having one last little fling, I promise Tsunade-sama.” He said, nervously looking around.
“You just called me Sama. It isn’t just a last fling, is it Uzumaki?”
“I was just going to get him. I promise. I’ll be back before you can sweat in your kimono. Really!” and he rushed out, passing Idate and Sasuke on the long porch.
“I wouldn’t go in there if I were you.” He said, “Jiraiya isn’t here, and I’m going to find him.”
Sasuke smirked as Idate stared back. “Jirochu likes his house in the condition it is, get him here before the Hokage destroys it, okay?”
“I will. Love you, Sasuke.” And the blond was gone.
“How do you keep up with him?” Idate asked.
“I don’t, if I stand still long enough, he comes back.” The Uchiha said, shaking his head.
“Um, okay. So, tell me about this girl - Meichan?” Idate said, following Sasuke into a side room to change for their part of the procession.
Naruto knew exactly where to find the reluctant bridegroom and he leaped from tree to tree, landing directly behind the wayward Sannin.
“Ero-sennin! Are you trying to get us both killed? Get out of those bushes and let’s get you ready. You only have two hours before the ceremony.”
“Eh, oh Naruto-kun. I was just thinking, maybe I’m too young for this.” Jiraiya said, smiling foolishly.
“You? You’re the oldest person I know. You’re just nervous. Remember that you and Tsunade have been meeting for the past five years, and that you love her. And GET YOUR BUTT back to the Boss’s house.” Naruto said, hoisting the older man by his hair and pulling him behind himself through the trees.
“Ouch, Naruto, You’re pulling my hair. Let’s talk about this. You should listen to your elders. I’m telling Sasuke on you.”

*Flashback Scene*
Tsunade leaned out the window and looked across the rooftops of the village of her birth.
Here she had grown up and learned all of the important lessons that all genin must accomplish before they were graduated. Here she had trained under the Sarutobi and gained not only chuunin but also Jounin status.
And here she had met both her first love and her last.
She had lived a long time and seen so many comrades pass away around her.
She had lost all of her family from grandparents, parents and even her younger brother, Nawaki.
And yet, Tsunade had survived.
She was now following in the path of her grandfather and leading the village.
She smiled as she let out a sigh and prepared to return to the pile of paperwork that was stacked on her desk.
Suddenly, a face popped up before her and lips connected with hers. Her eyes went wide before softening and following her thoughts as she relaxed in the arms of her latest suitor. He deepened the kiss as he climbed in the window and sat on the ledge pulling her into his lap.
Tsunade pulled away and looked into warm black eyes full of mischief.
“Finished with your research for the day, or are you planning on a new chapter on older women?” she asked. His face fell and he stammered the beginnings of an excuse when she lifted her hands to his face and focused his gaze on her. “Just kidding, Jiraiya.”
“Ahh, Tsunnie. You still know how to get me flustered.” And he chuckled lightly before she claimed his mouth in a firm kiss.
Pounding in the hall preceded the door flying open and the face of a seventeen year old with wild blond hair and shocked blue eyes stared at them in horror.
“Ero-sennin! You and Tsunade-baachan?” Naruto screamed before the white haired Sannin clasped his mouth shut and closed the door.
Tsunade sighed from where she sat after being dumped off of Jiraiya’s lap in his hurry to stop the boy from giving away their secret.
As she rose from the floor, she began to laugh and was soon joined by Jiraiya who had released the boy and returned to help brush her off and closed the window.
“What’s so funny?” Naruto said as he moved closer and watched them.
“Oh, Naruto-kun. Only you would be able to catch us like that. Anyone else would have knocked on the door or something.” She said.
“And of course, you are the number one ninja of surprises.” Jiraiya added.
“So, what is it going to take to keep you silent about this?” the woman asked dropping into her chair and watching him.
“Oh, I don’t know. It really isn’t anyone’s business. But then again, the people do need to know what the Hokage is up to. And with who?” he added, eyeing Jiraiya suspiciously. “But I could just pretend that I don’t know anything if I was too busy doing really great missions with Sasuke.”
“Sasuke? We can’t send him on missions. He just got back from the Sound. I know the curse seal disappeared when you killed Orochimaru, but to trust Sasuke already?”
“Oh, I guess you’re probably right. I mean I could keep an eye on him and that would be easier if he was with me on missions. But he could stay here and be bored until he goes out looking for power some other place.”
“Um, Tsunnie? Naruto has a point. If the boy goes on missions he will be growing, and won’t feel as much need to search for short cuts.”
“Yeah” Naruto added. “And I can make sure he stays out of trouble and away from Sakura-chan.”
“What? Naruto, Sakura isn’t interested in you. Keeping her away from the Uchiha isn’t going to change that.” Tsunade said, trying to let him down easy.
“I didn’t say I wanted to keep Sakura away, Old Lady. Pay attention. My goal is Sasuke. And he gets cranky and distant when she is around. So, I’ll help you keep your love affair a secret if you help me with mine, deal?”
Jiraiya leaned down to whisper in the blonde woman’s ear and she giggled, causing Naruto to gag.
“Deal Brat. Now,” she said pulling out a scroll. ‘Go get the Uchiha, you two are going on a long mission, should keep you out of my hair for about three weeks.” And she opened the scroll and read through it as Naruto rushed out the door.
“Is it dangerous?” Jiraiya asked, still thinking about the Akatsuki failed attempts.
“Not very. It is a B-mission, but it’s far to the south and they’ll have to go through the swamps.”

Naruto remembered that day as he stood next to the Sannin in the elaborate gardens of the Wasabi man’s home in the Tea Country.
It had been the beginning of his time with Sasuke and had eventually led to their recent understanding.
Sasuke stood with Idate near Jirochu and they all watched as Tsunade entered the gate. Her hair was piled on her head in looping curls and the pastel blue kimono accentuated her curves in a very flattering way. Jiraiya gasped and placed a hand on Naruto’s shoulder.
“She is more beautiful every day,” he said.
“Yes, Ero-sennin. She’s just as beautiful as you could want her to be. You’re a lucky man.” Naruto assured him “and so am I,” he though to himself looking over at the Uchiha who narrowed his eyes when he caught the blond smirking at him.
His eyes seemed to ask, “What?” and Naruto’s smile told him everything he needed to know.
Message received was obvious by the blush on his cheeks.

Sasuke curled up next to the warm body of the blond and smelled the clean earthy scent of him. They were sleeping on a tatama mat in the guest area of Jirochu’s estate and would go home the next morning, escorting the happy newlyweds back to the fire country and their home.
News traveled ahead and already there was a celebration taking place in the village of Konoha. This would be the last quiet night they had for quite some time.
He was glad for this time and was almost afraid to waste it sleeping. He snuggled closer and felt the blond shift next to him.
“Nnn, Sasuke can’t you sleep?” Naruto asked through sleep muddled lips.
“I’m not tired. I just wanted to enjoy this time with you.” Sasuke admitted.
“Hmmm?” Naruto asked forcing his eyes open and staring at the alien being in his arms. “Are you sure you're Uchiha Sasuke?”
“Yes, Dobe. Who else would I be?” Sasuke said, pinching a very tender place under Naruto’s arm.
“Ouch. Sorry, but for a minute there I though someone was using Henge to fool me. But you are still the same bastard I fell in love with. Now, what is it really?”
“I’m worried about how we will find time together when we get home. I mean the baby will be here in five months and we have two missions before then, separately. I want to be with you, and it gets harder every day.”
“Sasuke, you know me. I am not about to leave you alone for very long. Don’t worry about that. You should concentrate on deciding which one of us will be the one to revive your clan. It’s a very important decision.”
“Will you shut up about that? Don’t make ridiculous suggestions. We can’t bring another baby into a house with a baby Orochimaru. It wouldn’t be fair or safe.”
“Sasuke, think about it. The rumor is that little Orochi killed his big brother by using that snake tongue to choke him. Like you are going to let your baby get close enough to do that, or want to even. I know you, under that ‘I don’t have any feelings and you can’t make me’ exterior, you are all soft and loving. Tonight is a perfect example. You can’t sleep cause you want me to confirm how much you mean to me, right?”
Sasuke looked away and rolled his eyes “Don’t say stupid things.”
“You needed me to accept the whole being a woman once in a while, and the make-up and the sexy clothes. You have a deep seeded need for acceptance and I don’t know any way that I could not accept you. I love everything about you, Uchiha. Even your insistence on wearing those family crests on every piece of clothes you own. I wouldn’t be surprised if you have already invested in some baby clothes for the little snake boy to wear with them on. But it doesn’t matter. It is part of you, and I love it too. So, just admit this and let’s get back to sleep. Okay?”
“I admit that I feel better knowing that you don’t care what I need. But I am not so psycho that I need you to prove it. Oh, just go to sleep.” And he rolled away. Naruto looked at the back of his love and smiled.
“I can’t now. I just got a look at the most perfect body a ninja could hope to have and I have needs that I am not afraid to admit.” And he slid his hand up the pale flesh covering taunt muscles and firm sinews. Sasuke shuddered at the touch but didn’t move.
Naruto pulled himself closer and pressed his need to the soft contours of Sasuke’s behind and pushed firmly against him. The friction was delicious and the move made Sasuke jerk back into him. The blond smiled as he reached around and found his lover needing just as much as he.


The heat was unbearable. How could this possibly be October? The sand was everywhere and Neji shifted his sandals to keep it out from between his toes. They were only an hour away from the village and had yet to see another soul in the waist land that skirted the area.
“Shikamaru. Are we almost there? I’m hungry.” Choji said, looking around.
“According to the map, we should see the top of the buildings any time now. Come on Neji. The sand is going to be part of our lives for the next few weeks. Don’t try to avoid it, just adjust.”
“Easy for you to say. I got some in my eye.”
“Shika, Neji. I can see it!” Choji said, his voice clear and excited.
They were nearly there and the buildings seemed to shine in the setting sun.
As they approached, specks separated from the buildings and moved to greet them and ease them into the town.
Kankurou was among the welcoming committee and he took Neji’s bag and guided them into the town.
“Gaara sent us out to see what is taking you so long. He expected you this morning.” The puppet master said.
“We got a late start. Tsunade and Jiraiya got married today and we had to stop and give our best wishes. It was a big surprise to everyone but Naruto.”
“Not really. Gaara knew about it too.” Temari said, coming up beside her brother and taking one of Choji’s bags.
“That figures.” Neji said.
“Come on, before the sand itself comes out to find you, Gaara is very impatient today.”
“Yeah, he has been acting weird all week.”
“Gaara?” Shikamaru asked.
“Even for Gaara.” Temari countered.

Naruto looked down on the sleeping brunet. Sometimes Sasuke’s mind games were even fun to play, but he wished his lover could just admit that he needed Naruto’s touches and affirmation. It was still fulfilling in the end, but it would help him if his at-times stoic mate would just say, “Naruto, I need you. Could you make me feel like I’m the most important thing in your life?”
“Oh, Sasuke. You are a piece of work.” He said into the soft hair hanging on the other’s shoulder.
Sasuke shifted slightly and Naruto moved closer. “But what fun would it be if you weren’t you?”

::: And another chapter is up.


Marielle – A crazy nut. Well I have been called worse, usually in terms that could have me committed.
It isn’t necessarily that the babies are going to gay couples, per say. Just to very strong ninja’s with unique abilities and the desire to steer the children to good - not evil. Have you ever seen a woman with PMS deal with minor tragedies? That could make anyone go evil.
I watched the episode (142) where Izumo and Kotetsu are dealing with the Fuujin-Raijin brothers in the corrections facility and I just thought - those two should have at least one little boy to play with. And Izumo is definitely the mother type.
As for Choji and Gaara, I ain’t giving away the details of this pairing, keep your eyes peeled.
Now for the M-Preg possibilities – I have written two versions of the last few chapters of this and when the Self-Reliance and Below Zero fics came out, I thought I’d see how they were received and if either was too similar to what I was going with, then I’ll decide which way to go. So, I guess I’ll just see what the readers want.

I am now accepting opinions. Does anyone want M-preg? And who should Sasuke pick to be the Mother? I am not saying that I haven’t already chosen, just that I wonder what the public likes.

Next Chapter is A little serpent comes to Eden