Title: Heal Me to Break Me
Author: chocoGONEsushi
Chapter Twelve: hello baby
Disclaimer: I only own the plot.

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Hinata had been out of work for two months, and in those two months the urge to go back to work wasn't as strong as right there and then. She was sitting on a chair in the waiting room, seeing things through a patient's point of view. Her hands were shaking and there was nothing she could do.

Because she was pregnant she wasn't allowed in the room with them.

"You need rest," one the nurses had told her - she hated being treated like some regular visitor.

I'm a doctor, she kept telling herself. I should be in there.

But what if something goes wrong? cried a voice she tried to muffle. What if something happens to that baby, Hinata, can you bear the consequences?

Her head fell into her hands because, no, she wouldn't be able to.

What's wrong with me?

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Sasuke stepped out of the small office after his usual check-up, rolling down his sleeve to cover up the band-aid that had been placed on the other side of his elbow. He didn't mind check-ups, just wished they were done a little faster.

I have things to do, he told himself. He wasn't sure what those things were, but surely he had something to do somewhere.

Then he saw her.

She was slumped over a chair looking exhausted. Her hair looked opaque and her face was buried in her hands. Her feet were tapping the floor with a quickened pace and all he could think about was the baby in there.

Then it hit him.

Oh, no.

He began walking without realizing it.

No, no, no. Please, no.

When he found himself in front of her, so close he could touch her, he wanted to fall to his knees and cry - beg for her to take him back. But she was so consumed in her own troubles she didn't even sense him.

Sasuke felt his heart drop.

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Hinata choked back the sob and instead closed her eyes.

When did I become so damn emotional? she thought. Tenten's gonna be fine. She's gonna be fine.

Then a much lighter voice asked, are you sure it's Tenten you're worried about?

Her eyes flew open and she stared at the floor. Sasuke...

It took her a few seconds, but she finally took notice of the black shoes in front of her. Why didn't I feel them? she asked herself.

Oh, that's right - I'm a mess.

She wiped her eyes and lifted her head, only to feel her breath hitch in her throat.

"Wh..."

Sasuke was looking at her with the type of face you only show when all of your defenses have gone tumbling to the floor. When all you have left is raw pain, and the sensation that no one else will understand you but that one person you wouldn't be able to live without. She knew that because that's exactly how she felt.

Her fingers itched and her hands were shaking - she wanted to touch him. She wanted to touch that skin, that face - that hair. Hinata saw her vision blur as tears began to form.

She had missed him so much. She'd rather be with him and have him cheat on her than being alone again. It was pathetic, she knew, but that's just how she felt.

I don't care anymore.

"What are you doing here?" he asked, bending down to her level. His voice was hoarse.

She only bit her lip - she didn't know what kind of sound would erupt from her if she opened her mouth.

"Hinata - why - are - you - here?" He sounded so desperate. Then he looked at her belly and she understood. "What did you do?"

Tears began to roll down her cheeks because he cared. He actually still cared. It was heartbreaking.

"Ten-Tenten's in labor," she whispered, struggling with the words. "They won't let me in there."

His eyes met hers and the relief in there was too much - too much for a single person.

"He's a healthy growing boy," she told him, taking his hand in hers. "And he's going to look just like his father."

Sasuke could only stare at her.

How was he so lucky? How could he have possibly landed with such a woman? There was no way he deserved her.

"Hinata..." He bent his head and kissed her hand. She was thinner than he remembered. "I love you so much."

He heard a sob.

Hinata was nodding, smiling despite the tears. "I know. And, Sasuke, I don't - I don't care anymore. I really don't."

Sasuke looked up at her sadly.

"I just want you back in my life."

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Shino sighed as he stared down at his cup of coffee.

Ino couldn't be left alone - no matter how much she protested.

Right now she was stuck to an IV and heavily asleep.

Honestly? It had scared the living hell out of him.

That was his child in there.

He closed his eyes, having the horrible images drown everything else in his mind.

He had slept with Ino, then completely rejected her when she told him he was pregnant. There was no way it was true, he thought - he had used protection. As a result, every time she was around, he would ignore her - go so far as insulting her.

Who knew it would draw such devastating results?

This is all my fault, he thought for the billionth time, rubbing his eyes beneath his shades.

As he made his way to her room, he stumbled into the worst possible scenario.

Hinata and Sasuke - the former drowning in tears, while the latter was on his knees. Shino felt so guilty he almost turned around.

Hinata was one of his closest friends - yet she was going through hell simply because he wasn't man enough to admit he had gotten a girl pregnant.

He tried not to let anything show on his face as he continued walking, hoping they would be too into their own business to notice him.

But by now his luck had run out.

"Sh-Shino? What are you doing here?"

He contemplated not turning around and continuing his pace, but thought otherwise. Who was he to ignore her?

So he turned, just in time to find her wiping her eyes but still hold on to Sasuke's hand.

"I'm visiting someone," he all but murmured.

"Ah," Hinata responded. She wasn't one to pry.

And neither was he. Instead of asking what she herself was doing there, crying, with Uchiha Sasuke no less, he simply nodded and turned on his heel.

He wasn't ready to face these people yet.

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A few hours later and Tenten was the proud mother of a healthy baby boy. Kiba was over himself with joy, holding on to him like his whole life depended on the small child.

"He's so beautiful, baby," he whispered, kissing Tenten on the forehead. "I'm so proud of you."

Tenten felt the hot tears run down her cheeks and mix with sweat. Those had been long, grueling hours - but it was worth it.

He was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen.

The door opened and Hinata stumbled inside, looking eager and a little bit tired.

"Oh, Tenten," she said, rushing to her friend's side. Said woman was grinning, unable to hide her joy.

Kiba walked to his friend's side, letting her carry his child. Hinata was immediately filled with so many emotion she started to cry.

In just a few more months and it will be on that bed giving birth to my child.

"He's so beautiful," she whispered. He had chocolate brown hair - his eyes were closed; he was asleep.

She suddenly lifted her head, looking around the room. Sasuke really had remained outside.

When the doctor had approached them, she was eager to see the child - Sasuke told her he would much rather wait outside.

He didn't think it'd be prudent to go in the room.

"Who are you looking for?" asked Tenten, relaxing in the bed.

Hinata handed her the small boy, knowing full well she wanted nothing more than to hold him in her arms.

"Sasuke."

Both Tenten and Kiba froze - "What?"

Hinata stared at them calmly.

"I met him here, while in the waiting room." She took a deep breath. "We're getting back together."

Before Kiba could say anything, Tenten asked, "are you sure?"

Hinata smiled fondly.

"I trust him and I need him. Despite what I said before, it's not the same without him in my life."

Tenten smiled understandingly. "Okay. If you want to do this, there's nothing we can do or say to stop you."

Kiba kept quiet.

"Thank you," she said, looking at him.

Kiba only stared at his wife holding his first child.

If Sasuke was who he said he was, then it wouldn't be fair to deprive him of that sight.

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Outside of the room, Sasuke waited patiently for Hinata.

It was strange - he was happy she was with him, but it still felt wrong.

He wouldn't be able to rest in peace until the whole incident was cleared. Until his named wasn't tied in any way with Ino's.

Then he saw it.

Shino was walking out of a room, pushing a tired-looking Ino in a wheelchair.

Sasuke stood immediately and didn't waste a second to find out what the two were doing together.

"I didn't know you two knew one another," he said offhandedly.

Shino only sighed. "Let us be, Uchiha."

Ino didn't even bother to look up.

"What's going on here?" Sasuke asked. He wanted answers. No, he needed answers.

When no one said anything, he got mad.

"Aburame, I asked you a question. I didn't know you were in league with Yamanaka."

When Shino turned to spit something back at him, Ino interrupted him.

"This has nothing to do with you, Sasuke. Isn't this what you wanted?"

He only scowled.

"What the hell did you do?"

Shino spoke up. "It shouldn't matter to you what she does. As long as she's not of any bother to you, correct?"

Sasuke was quick to reply. "Shut your mouth. This has nothing to do with you."

"Wrong," whispered Ino. "This has everything to do with him."

Shino started walking, and Sasuke only swore.

Something weird was going on, and he had to find out what.

"What's wrong?"

Hinata stood behind him, watching as Shino walked away. "Who was Shino-kun with?"

"No one of importance," Sasuke said, turning to her. "Are you ready to go?"

Hinata bit her lip, then smiled.

"Yes."

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A/N: This is a whole lot more complicated than I thought. Sigh.
Although Hinata trusts Sasuke, other people don't. Actions speak louder than words.
Until Ino says something, nothing will improve - people, especially Hinata's close friends, will look down on Sasuke.

I give this no more than five chapters.
Anymore and I'm insane.

This chapter is so damn emotional - one of the many reasons I didn't want to update.
But oh well. It's a very emotional story, I s'pose.

Thanks for reading thus far. c: