Chapter 36

Epilogue

Naruko rolled over with a groan, trying to find a more comfortable position, she could lay in, since her stomach was giving her hell, and she just couldn't get relief.

She had been feeling sick for a week now, and it was starting to be a real pain. She would throw up everything she dare to put in her mouth, and even the smell of certain foods made her sick, although it seemed to get better in the afternoon and the evening.

Itachi was worried, but she was stubborn and refused to go see a doctor, convinced that it was just a simple stomach flu and that she would get better in a few days, after all, Shisui's son had the same thing and it had lasted a few days for him, so there was nothing to worry about , or so she thought.

She frowned at the tv, guilty of not having anything interesting for her to watch, and she didn't really feel like watching a movie, she honestly didn't feel like doing much of anything, except complain about her misery. She was glad she had a very patient husband, who didn't mind her being a grump, and took care of her lovingly. She was really a lucky woman, had Itachi been anything like his younger brother, she was sure he would have moved out by now, or worse, they would be fighting every three seconds. Sasuke lacked the majority of Itachi's qualities, and sometimes she felt bad for Sakura, who had to put up with Sasuke's grumpy ass, she had even married him, six months ago.

The blonde rested her head on the pillow, and sighed for what seemed like the hundredth time that day. She was waiting for Itachi to come home from work, so he would bring her the ramen she had asked him to get for her, and she felt her eyelids grow heavy, and she tried to fight the sudden feeling of tiredness that had caught her all of a sudden. She figured it must because of the lack of sleep she had had for the past week that was finally catching up with her, so there was nothing wrong, she decided, if she closed her eyes for a few minutes, just to make them rest a little bit.

Naruko hadn't realized she had fallen asleep, until she felt Itachi's fingers stroke her hair, gently waking her up, her hazy eyes opened and focused on his pale face. He was closer than what she expected, and she realized he was crouched in front of the sofa, his left elbow leaning on the cushion next to her covered body.

"Tachi?" she whispered, rubbing her eyes, realizing that the room was darker than it should be at that time of day, and she battled her eyelashes, realizing she must have slept for a long time, and not a couple minutes.

"Hey " he smiled, his fingers not stopping their soft ministration on her hair, in a soft soothing manner, making her relax under his touch.

"you were sleeping when I came back, and I didn't want to disturb you so I've let you sleep, but it's late now, so I figured you might be hungry and want to try and eat something" he explained, his hand slipping down to stroke her cheek with the back of his hand, and she leaned into his touch, like a kitten, comforted by his presence. He was such a calming presence, that she already felt better, now that he was there with her.

"What time is it?" she asked rubbing her eyes, wondering how long she had slept.

"Eight o clock" he answered, his eyes never leaving hers, and she could see he was thinking about something, but that was forgotten for a second, as she realized how late it was.

"What?!" she lifted herself up in a sitting position, the blanket slipped down on the carpet with the sudden movement, and Itachi scooted back a little bit, allowing her some space.

"Yes, you slept for three hours straight. You didn't even hear me, when I walked in" she hadn't even flinched, and he had been a little noisy when he had arrived home, carrying some things back from work and the food she had asked for, and he had not known she was resting. He was glad he hadn't waken her up though, she needed some sleep.

"Three hours?"

Itachi tilted his head a little bit, leaning on the sofa again, looking at her with a questioning glance.

"Is something wrong? How are you feeling? "

He was obviously worried, although he was trying his hardest to hide it.

"I feel much better now, but…. I'm a little surprised that I actually slept so much"

She let out a yawn, and stretched her arms forward, feeling the need to move, and get up from the damn couch.

"You look better too" he commented, finally giving in, and pinching her left cheek with a small chuckle at her protests.

"That hurt!"

"I couldn't resist, you are just too cute" he smirked and swooped down to peck her on the lips.

"Bastard!" she pouted giving the evil eye at her husband, and she finally took a good look at him, and was surprised to see he was in his home clothes, and that his hair was down and free from the usual pony tail still slightly damp. He must have taken a shower while she was passed out in their living room.

"I still can't understand how I actually slept so much" she mused, already forgetting the irritation towards her dark haired husband that was still looking at her with a delicate brow perfectly arched.

Naruko usually was hyperactive and denied being sick at all, even with a high temperature, and Itachi knew that very well, since he had gone through that experience two times already, not that he was eager to go through that again, actually he found this version of sick Naruko a lot more normal.

"That's what usually sick people do" he mocked her with a small grin, amused by her pouting face. It was adorable, and he was tempted to pinch her cheeks again, but decided against it. She would probably murder him this time.

"As if you didn't know me" she grumbled in annoyance, and he shrugged, not really knowing what to say to that, he stood and walked out towards the kitchen without saying a word.

"Uchiha! Don't you dare walk out while I'm talking!" of course, she overlooked the fact that either one of them was speaking when he left, and that she was really steaming away her irritation by yelling at him for no reason. She couldn't understand why she felt so nervous in the first place, and sje figured it might because she hadn't had a proper meal in days. After all her stomach always influenced her moods.

She didn't have much time to relish in that though, because Itachi walked in again with a tray with what looked like a huge bowl of ramen. Apparently he was aware of that fact as well.

"Here grumpy pants, this might soothe your nerves"

He teased, and hinted for her to sit on the sofa again, and she did, moving her legs out of the way so he could rest the tray on the small coffee table.

"Here, I heated it up, so be careful" he warned, before sitting next to her.

She eyed the fuming bowl in front of her with shiny eyes, her mouth watering at the beautiful sight, every trace of nervousness gone.

"I am starving, it's been a while since I've felt this hungry" she admitted with a big smile on her face, and Itachi felt a little reassured. She looked better than she had in a while, and he smiled.

Since the situation was under control, and he didn't have much to do anyway, he decided to turn on the tv to listen to the news, he was a busy man and he didn't have much time to read papers or go through the internet, so a part of his routine was exactly that, come home, eat and tune in with his favorite news broadcast with his beautiful wife sitting next to him.. Later she would probably insist on watching some movie together, and it would probably be his turn to pass out on the sofa.

"I think I will come back to work tomorrow, I am sure you miss my daily intrusions in your office"

Naruko spoke, and he turned to watch at her,she was all smiles now, and she was patiently waiting for the ramen to cool down, something he was grateful for. Knowing her, she would usually just stick a burning spoon in her mouth and than complain because she burnt her tongue.

"I miss our lunch break more than your intrusions, you always bother me in the most inappropriate times" he smirked, and she stuck her tongue out at him.

"It's always an inappropriate time for you" she laughed.

"You know what I mean" he smirked, and she slapped his arm almost offended

"I know you always get weird ideas when I'm there"

Itachi smirked at that and glanced at her, wiggling his brows in a way tjat reminded her of Shisui.

"What can I say, a man has fantasies"

She rolled her eyes at that.

"Are you sure you're well enough to come? The office can manage without you another day, although your father might not"

Her father had always been a little crazy, but Naruko swore he was getting worse with age, especially after Menma had announced that he and Hinata were expecting their first child. Her brother was sure he had reached his midlife crisis.

"I'm doing much better, I couldn't even put anything in my stomach the other days." She answered, before putting a spoonful of ramen in her mouth, but unlike every other time, it didn't taste heavenly, but it left a terrible sour taste in her mouth, and she could barely swallow it, fighting against the instinctive need to spit it out.

"Is something wrong?" Itachi was now close to her, studying her disgusted face with a raised eyebrow.

"This…. It tastes awful! Where'd you get it?" she was fighting the terrible feeling in her stomach, and she couldn't even shot a glance at the abandoned bowl without feeling sick.

That sure put Itachi on alarm. Never had she referred to her favorite food as disgusting, not even when they had been on their honeymoon and she had insisted on ordering it in a small Izakaya near their hotel, that didn't look that hygienic.

"At Teuchi, like always" he answered still a little shook by her weird behavior, decided to give it a try, grabbing her spoon and tasting it, Naruko close by, watching him attentively.

"so?" she raised a brow as she waited for Itachi to give his judgment. Itachi put the spoon down, and gave Naruko a confused glance.

"It tastes the same as usual to me, there's nothing wrong with it"

"Oh my God! You finally did it!" The blond stood up growling at him, before clutching her stomach that was starting to feel sick again, making her insides feel as if they were twisting and churning, it was a very unpleasant feeling, but one she had grown accustomed to, in the past week.

Itachi raised a brow, unimpressed at his wife, who was the perfect picture of an enraged woman

"what are you talking about?"

"You got me to hate ramen! Are you satisfied now?"

She pointed a finger at him in accusation, and Itachi rolled his eyes, but didn't dare say anything to go against her, to avoid angering the beast any further, plus she didn't look well, her face was getting a little green, and he supposed she was going to rush to the bathroom any minute now.

"Don't give me that innocent look! I know you must have messed with my mind or something-"

She stopped, one of her hands shooting up to her mouth, and the other one still on her stomach, and she gave a frustrated grunt, as she left the room in a rush, the only last comprehensible sentence before the sounds of her throwing up covered any other sound was unmistakably "all Uchiha are bastards" apparently she had momentarily forgot she was one of them too now, having took Itachi's last name after their marriage.

Itachi sighed, he couldn't possibly find any reasonable way to answer her, and it was a first, since it was usually the other way around. He walked towards the bathroom, and kneeled close to his wive's body, that was hunched over the toilet, and massaged her back, soothing her a little bit.

"I feel terrible" she mumbled, raising her head a little bit, and Itachi handed her a glass of water he had picked up from the kitchen. She accepted it gratefully, wanting to get rid of that terrible taste.

"Just rest love, you will feel better tomorrow" he tried to comfort her, drawing circles on her back.

"ugh…."

For once, Itachi had been terribly wrong, it was a first, and something she would use against him, if it wasn't for the fact that she had been rushed to the hospital because her father had found her passed out in her office. She had been lucky she hadn't hit her head, but her butt was hurting terribly, so she assumed it had taken the most of the fall, even though she couldn't figure out exactly how it had happened. One second she was fine, well she felt like if a train had ran her over, but better than the whole week that had just passed. She was reading some new contracts sitting at her desk, when she had felt thirsty and had decided to get up to grab a glass of water from the dispenser. She never reached it, her head had felt a little funny, like it was spinning, and then she must have lost her senses, she didn't remember what had actually happened, only that when she came back to her senses half of the office had been there kneeled close to her, and Deidara, who she remembered had a lunch date with her, screaming "She's alive!" when she opened her eyes, almost scaring her, with his overly exaggerated reactions.

Trust the artist to act so dramatic in such a situation and give half the people in the building a heart attack.

An hour and a half later, Naruko was lying in a hospital bed, with an IV stuck on her right arm, and a pout on her pretty face. She was bored out of her mind, and, at least five people had yelled at her since her arrival to the E. R. and now she had a bit of a headache.

Sakura and Tsunade had been the first ones, they had been waiting for her, and Sakura had immediately yelled at her for her carelessness, and Tsunade had tagged along, getting a little physical, especially while sticking the IV to her arm. It could have been worse, but Naruko was secretly glad when a nurse came to take some of her blood to run some tests.

It had been just the start and Naruko was aware of that. Especially when her mother had stormed in a couple of minutes after she had been taken to a room, followed by a heavily pregnant Hinata.

The blonde had felt sorry for her sister in law, at least she had looked genuinely worried and concerned for her, while her mother had scolded her for being so stubborn, for a couple off minutes, and then had started to cry, hugging her with all her strength, telling her how scary it had been for her to get the call from Tsunade. It was something Naruko could understand, and had hugged her mother back with a soft smile.

Now, the blonde was there in her he room, a cell phone ringing every two seconds, it really looked like the news had reached everybody , except Itachi that was still not answering his phone, which was maddening to Naruko. He was the only one she really wanted by her side in that moment, even if she dismissed the whole ordeal as stupid and unnecessary, she had to admit she was a little worried and having her husband by her side would make her feel a hell lot better.

She was glad that her family was there though.

Mikoto was knitting something as she sat near the window, speaking softly with Kushina, who was praising the other woman for her work, Minato was reading a magazine and Hinata had gone out to call Menma, who apparently was also on his way to the hospital and Deidara was ranting at his phone for what sounded like the hundredth time. All in all, everything was quiet, and Naruko contemplated if she could take a nap, it must be the boredom, but her eyelids felt heavy with sleep, exactly like the day before.

"I have the results!" Sakura walked in with a happy smile on her face looking more relaxed than before, as she closed the door behind her, and turned to the small crowd on the room, who was waiting for news.

The doctor took a small breath before saying.

"I can tell you Naruko is fine, nothing to worry about. From the tests it came out she was lacking some vitamins which could explain the fainting"

She started as she looked at the folder. Kushina was the first one to let out a small breath, relieved.

"So I can go home now?" Naruko was more than ready and eager to leave that place.

Sakura looked at her with an annoyed expression.

"No. I still need to speak with you privately"

Naruko huffed, and lied with her back on the bed.

"I wouldn't lie mrs Namikaze, but it's a private matter and I need to talk to her alone"

"Of course we'll go and get some tea at the cafeteria" Minato pacified, grabbing his wife by the shoulders edging her out with ease, trying to soothe her nerves with soft words whispered in her ear. It worked, since the woman followed the others without further protests.

"oh, Deidara? Itachi is on his way, so don't call him again ok? His phone is off so it would be useless anyway" Sakura grinned at the blond man, ignoring his shocked expression.

"How did you reach him? I have been trying for the last hour!" he sounded outraged. If Itachi had answered her and not to him on purpose he would skin him as soon as he saw him.

The pink haired woman didn't even bother to look at him, but her eyee were shining in satisfaction.

"Simple, I called Sasuke"

Deidara's jaw hanged open at that.

"Oh. That easy?"

why didn't he think of calling Sasori, or Kisame? They were both with Itachi at the meeting and they could've informed him immediately.

"out now, we need privacy!" she shoed the poor artist out, and closed the door behind her with a huff. She then straightened her white overall, and coughed to clear her throat, turning to the annoyed blonde.

"So… am I dying or something?" Naruko couldn't help but feel like Sakura was taking her time on purpose, but her eyes widened when her friend's face lit up, her green eyes were trying to contain her emotion, and her lips quirked up in a big wholehearted smile.

"Oh Ruko!" she breathed out and she ran towards her hugging her tightly.

"oh my God! I'm dying aren't I? I knew it, I should have known that since I threw up the ramen! I mean, I threw up the ramen! That never happened! And, oh my God! What is Itachi going to do by himself? I don't want him to get married to some other woman…. I mean I know I'll be dead, but I'll still be jealous-"

Sakura laughed at her friend's nervous rambling, the blonde eyeing her with rage.

"What are you laughing about! I am dying here!"

"Ruko! You're not dying you silly head! And Itachi won't be alone, actually is quite the contrary"

Naruko blinked at that, not understanding what Sakura was hinting at.

"uh?"

Sakura sighed, and opened the folder she had been jealousy holding onto the whole time, that had Naruko's blood tests results in it.

"Here, look" she handed the piece of paper to the blonde that still looked confused.

"What am I looking at?" she asked looking at the pink haired woman that rolled her green eyes at her, and walked up closer, pointing at something on the paper.

"See that? That value indicates that there's a high concentration of hormones in your blood, and that usually means one thing"

"And what is that?"

Naruko really was confused now, was it a bad thing or a good thing? Why didn't her friend just tell her what was wrong with her, and stop the torture.

"I have cancer?"

"No silly!"

"but… then"

"You're pregnant!" Sakura blurted out, a big wide smile as she jumped in excitement, letting out light overjoyed giggles, as she hugged the shocked blonde.

"I'm…. I'm what?" it still hadn't clicked in Naruko's mind, it sounded so foreign to her ears, and kind of unreal, as if she was dreaming. She had never even considered being pregnant, the thought had never crossed her mind

"you're going to have a baby!" Sakura giggled some more, she had battled with Tsunade to be the one to give Naruko the news, and it was worth it seeing the girl's shocked expression.

"How is it possible?"

"You really want me to explain that to you?"

Naruko's head was spinning, and her hands immediately shot up to her still flat belly in total disbelief, her eyes wondering on her own stomach, that was slowly going to grow to accommodate her and Itachi's child

She was pregnant, and soon she and Itachi would have a baby. Their baby.

Their child. And it clicked, suddenly and so naturally she felt she already loved the small being inside of her. And she gasped, her big blue eyes wide filled with tears.

"Oh my God! I'm going to have a baby!" She practically shouted, so many emotions went through her, and she didn't know if she was laughing or crying anymore, but she couldn't recall ever being so happy, maybe only her wedding day could compare to that moment.

Sakura laughed and cried with her, and Naruko could only think that she wished Itachi was there in that moment, she couldn't wait to tell him.

"Lay down a second now, I want to show you something."

Naruko, who was still feeling giddy, did as she was told, and watched curiously as she turned on a machine that she hadn't noticed till that moment, and she didn't protest when Sakura rolled up her shirt, leaving her stomach bare.

"This will feel a little cold" Sakura warned as she spread some blue gel on Naruko's stomach. The blonde winced but she was too enraptured in what the pink haired woman was doing with the machine to care.

"So, let's see the little guy, or lady, we still don't know what it is" The pink haired woman smiled as she gently rested a scan on the blonde's stomach, her eyes staring at the white and black screen as she looked for something, moving the hand with the scan up and down Naruko's lower belly.

"You…you mean… we are looking at my baby?" Naruko couldn't really see much, it was just lines and weird stuff she couldn't distinguish, but Sakura knew what she was doing, and smiled as she found what she was looking for.

"Aaand here it is!" Sakura smiled, pointing to a little bundle of not really defined form on the screen, but Naruko already felt her chest explode from the love she was feeling. If only Itachi was there, this moment would be perfect.

"You mean…that…. That's my baby! It's so small" She didn't know when she had exactly started crying, or if she had even stopped since learning the news, but she was fascinated by the little shape, that was her baby, on the screen.

"Look! It moved" she already knew her heart had been captured already from the moment she had found out, but somehow she felt the love she felt. For her unborn son or daughter, grow even more.

A soft knock on the door interrupted the moment, and Sakura smiled at Naruko.

"So, do you want to surprise Itachi like this, or do you want to tell him another way?" she asked, her eyes still on the screen, with Naruko, who was still smiling softly, who had no doubt she wanted Itachi there with her to look at the life they had created together.

"Let him in"

Sakura nodded putting the scan in place momentarily, walking to the door, opening it to let a very worried and wild looking Itachi, almost stumble in the room. He looked like he had ran all the way there, his hair was in disarray, with loose strands around his slightly red and sweaty face, his long coat was glistening with small drops of water and his breath was still a little ragged as he tried to steady it, so he could speak without interruptions.

"Itachi, are you ok?" Naruko couldn't help asking from where she was lying, meeting the dark eyes that were now focused on her, his brow raising as he studied her position and she could clearly see the question that was crossing his mind, especially since her stomach was still exposed and the screen on, although it wasn't showing anything at the moment.

"I should ask you that…Sasuke told me they rushed you here….my phone was low on battery and I didn't have the patience to look for another phone…. I came directly here…" he pushed some strands out of his face, he looked so worried, the blonde actually felt bad for making him and everyone else worry so much.

"I'm sorry Tachi….last thing I wanted was for you to get such a scare" she could only imagine how she would feel if she would get the news her husband had been rushed to the E.R. She wouldn't probably react even worse than him.

"The only thing that matters to me is that you're ok" he answered walking up to her and taking her hand in his, kissing her forehead, and Naruko could only beam at him, feeling impatient to share the good news.

"I am fine, it was nothing… well, actually that's not quite true" she chuckled lightly, feeling bad for her husband's confused expression, as he tried to make out what was actually going on. Taking pity on the poor Uchiha, she decided to get the cat out of the bag, and she looked at Sakura that had moved in the background to let the couple talk, and she understood immediately.

"Don't make that face…. Sakura, could you?"

"Of course" she walked up to where Naruko was, and smiled at Itachi, who didn't answer too concentrated on trying to figure out what was happening.

"Okay, here it is" Sakura pointed at the small figure, she was trying hard to keep a straight expression, and she couldn't help looking at her brother in kaw's face as he watched the screen with both eyebrows up and mouth open in a mix of confusion and shock.

"Naruko?" he swallowed down some saliva, feeling his throat dry, he didn't know how long he had kept his mouth hanging open, but he felt his heart beat rate become unsteady, and he didn't know what else to say, he wasn't exactly sure he could utter another word, or if his voice would come out at all.

Sakura took a picture putting the screen on pause as she took the scan away from the blonde's belly, handing her a tissue to clean up the excess gel.

"I'm going to find the others, see you in a little bit, okay?"

She knew the couple needed their privacy in such a intimate moment , so she quietly took her leave, with a last glance at the couple.

Naruko nodded and sat up, her eyes never leaving the screen as she fixed her shirt. Itachi was obviously waiting for answers, and that was the thing she needed to concentrate on.

"Well…. It seems like I didn't have a stomach flu in the end." She started, taking Itachi's hand in hers, her fingers stroking his palm gently.

"I mean, the ramen accident should have been a warning, but I really didn't think…" she fumble with her words not knowing how to continue her sentence, Itachi's patience really was welcomed in that moment, even if she was sure, it was only apparent, because he surely wanted to know what she was trying to go, even if he probably had already guessed much of it.

"Trust your child to be the one to hate ramen from the womb… it seems like these next months are going to be a little trying for me…"

"my…child?"

Naruko chuckled, usually she was the slow one who couldn't catch a hint, it was amusing to see Itachi in that position. He was so smart and ahead of everyone usually, the change made her laugh, and she pointed at the screen, that was still showing the picture Sakura had taken of their unborn child.

"Well…that there, is our baby. I'm pregnant" she said softly, letting out a small nervous laugh, but her eyes were focused on Itachi's face, who was now staring at the screen with big wide eyes, and she swore she saw some tears glisten in them, but they stayed where they were, and Itachi gulped down saliva again.

"A baby…. " He repeated, his voice so low it sounded more like a whisper, his hands covered his mouth, as he tried to steady his erratic heartbeat.

"Yes! We are going to have a baby!" She repeated, standing up from the bed, and pulling him against her, hugging him tightly.

Itachi smiled, a smile so big and brimmed of emotions that brought tears to her eyes. This moment, this was exactly what she had wished it would be.

"I don't think I've ever been happier in my life, and it's all thanks to you, Naruko"

A few years later...

"MR. McGREGOR hung up the little jacket and the shoes for a scare-crow to frighten the blackbirds"

Itachi stopped reading, when he heard his son's soft and steady breathing, that usually meant he was fast asleep.

He got up from the side of the bed, trying to not make noise, and put the book back on the bedside table, turning on the small night light, before turning around to kiss the little black head if hair, and tucking the child in for the night, smiling at the small peaceful face.

He never thought he could love another being as much as he loved his son, it was something he had understood only when he had held him for the first time right after he was born.

It had been one hell of a journey. Naruko had been tired and cursing loudly, and he wasn't sure if his hand was going too function any more after that day, but as soon as he heard the first loud cries and he saw the small bundle trying to calm himself against Naruko's chest, he knew that it didn't matter at all, nothing else did besides his small family, and he would do anything to protect them and care for them the best way he could.

He slipped out the room with one last glance, cautious of Kyuuby resting against the door ,the huge reddish dog liked to sleep in front of Isamu's door like the guard dog he was.

"Good boy"

He patted the dog's head and walked to the living room, to see if Naruko was still awake, smiling when he saw her frowning face as she tried to get comfortable on the sofa the blanket doing a poor job of covering her huge nine months pregnant belly.

He hadn't been shocked when Naruko had given him the news of her second pregnancy, only a year and a half after Isamu's birth. He was able to read the early signs when she started to feel sick exactly like the first time, and before he knew it, one evening, after putting their son to bed, she had handed him a small box with a positive test resting in it.

It hadn't been as dramatic as the first time, but it had ignited the same feelings in him, and even though he had suspected it, he had been once again, at a loss for words. This time luckily Naruko had been more prepared, having known beforehand, and had been the one to drag Itachi to their room to celebrate.

"Hey, aren't you sleeping yet?" he asked sitting next to her, allowing her to position her back against his chest as she tried to find a better position, one that possibly would give her back some relief.

"Ugh…. I wish, your daughter though seems to have other plans for her mother tonight"

The affection in her voice made him smile and his hands slipped on her enlarged stomach, feeling the soft movements of his daughter.

"She is quite agitated tonight" Naruko winced as a strong kick hurt her on the side, Itachi felt it too and massaged the spot trying to soothe her.

"Your due date is close, it won't take much longer" he hoped so at least. Their son had been in no hurry to come to the world, and Naruko was almost two weeks overdue when he decided he was ready.

"I wish, I really can't wait to be able to enjoy a bowl of ramen again" she sighed, her mouth watering at the thought.

Itachi let out a soft laugh at that. He still remembered after she delivered Isamu that was the first thing she had asked to a surprised nurse. Luckily Kushina having had the same experience during her own pregnancy had provided her daughter with the desired dish,

"Your kids just had to be like you, after all" she smiled fondly, rubbing her stomach where the baby had kicked again.

"I think Isamu took after you more" he might look like Itachi, with his black hair, pale skin and dark eyes, but his personality was all Naruko. He was a happy and hyper kid, and very intelligent for a two year old, a trait the blonde was sure he had taken from his father. And exactly like his mother, he liked to annoy his uncles Sasuke and Menma . Something that made Itachi quite proud.

"Mommy?"

Both their heads turned and they spotted the small child next to the door of the living room, Kyuuby standing faithfully by his side in protection.

His eyes were still clouded from sleep, and he was holding the fox plush his paternal grand parents had given to him as a gift for Christmas.

"Hey sweetie, what are you doing up?" Naruko opened her arms and the small child walked directly into them, or at least he tried, he bumped on her belly, but he didn't care, as he rested his small head on her shoulder, grabbing a fistful of her long blonde hair, the other hand still holding the plush tightly.

Naruko was getting uncomfortable in that position after a while, so she made him sit between her and Itachi, ruffling his small head, as Itachi covered him with a blanket to keep him warm, the child snuggling close to his father.

"Did you have a bad dream?"

The child nodded, it was clear something had scared him.

"Do you want daddy to take you back to your room?"

"No… I want to stay with mommy and daddy"

Itachi nodded, and made him lean his head in his lap, stroking his hair softly, trying to calm him down.

Reassured by his parent's presence he finally closed his eyes, succumbing to sleep, his father following shortly after.

Naruko was the only one that couldn't sleep, her stomach was still bothering her, and she got up to get another blanket to cover Itachi, who was snoring softly, probably because of the weird position his head was forced.

A look of devotion passed on her face as she watched the two sleep closely together, the resemblance between father and son was not only physical, but some of Isamu's moves were very similar to Itachi, even now she could see that, as they slept in an almost identical position, with their hands on their stomach, almost composed, completely contrary to her, who liked to splay all her limbs around.

She would have loved to take a picture at the duo, but an incredible sharp pain cut through her stomach, taking her breath away for a few seconds, and she had to sit back on one of the chairs.

She eyed the phone, and was glad she didn't have to look around for it as usual, she had been having pain for all evening, but know they were increasing and becoming more regular, and she knew she was in early labor.

It was only a half an hour later, and Itachi was shook out of his sleep, and he opened confused eyes, realizing he and Isamu had fallen asleep on the couch.

"What…"he raised his gaze catching Naruko's, who was standing, rubbing her stomach as she spoke quietly on the phone, Kyuuby standing close to her, and occasionally she patted his head as she spoke with whoever she was on the phone with.

That caught his curiosity and he stood careful not to wake Isamu, and only then noticed Naruko's hospital bag. His eyes widened at that and he looked back at his wife in question, who nodded at him, and she groaned softly, clutching at her stomach.

So it was time. And he didn't have to panic, not this time. After all he had already been through it once. And survived.

He glanced at the clock on the wall, it was midnight, and he hurried to put his shoes on, forgetting for a minute where he had left them.

"Tachi? Your mother is coming over to stay with Isamu, I called granny Tsunade and she's waiting for us at the hospital, you just need to get the car"

Itachi nodded, and he rushed to the door, stopped by Naruko calling him back.

"The keys! Itachi you need the keys!"

"I knew that" he answered as he walked back to get them from her offering hand, and she rolled her eyes at that, she knew he was internally panicking and trying not to show. As if it was him that had to push a baby out of his body.

He took the bag and rushed out the door, and Naruko sat on the sofa again, waiting for her husband to get back, trying to breathe through another painful contraction.

The door opened again, shortly after, and Naruko was glad to see Itachi was not alone, and that Mikoto and Fugaku we're right behind him. Fugaku had the same lost expression as his son's, she couldn't think about them though,

for the pain was getting worse, and she paled as she felt liquid run down her thighs reaching her ankles.

"I think my waters just broke!"

Itachi felt like fainting, but luckily he pulled through, and after six hours of labor, their daughter came to the world screaming out of her lungs and kicking her little legs as the little fighter he knew was in her, and Itachi just felt his heart expand a little bit more.

"So what name have you decided for this little beauty?" Tsunade was scribbling something on some documents, and Shizune was still clearing the area.

Naruko was lying on her hospital bed, her eyes not leaving her daughter's who was staring back at her mother with her big and grey eyes, probably getting accustomed to the world around her.

Itachi was sitting next to them looking as if he had been the one to give birth, but his eyes were on the baby, a look of adoration in his eyes as he stared at his newborn daughter.

"We had thought of naming her Kimiko" Naruko's gazd mirrored Itachi's as they both looked at each other and then at their daughter.

"Fitting name"

Tsunade agreed, and she nodded at the couple with a smile, her eyes softening as she looked at the family, who was lacking a member in that moment, but Isamu would join them soon, as she was sure he would come with the rest of the family to visit his little sister

.Smiling and without adding anything else she walked out, she would visit again at a more proper time. All three of them looked like they really needed some sleep right now.

Naruko was cuddling the small baby, her mind still trying to realize that she had contributed in creating the small baby, and she smiled as her daughter's greyish eyes settled on her as if she was the whole world.

"Hey Kimi"her fingers ghosted over a puffy and rosy cheek, it was so soft, as rose petals.

"Are you ready to meet your big brother? He has been waiting for you for a while" she whispered, her eyes leaving her daughter, meeting the curious gaze of her son, who was staring at them, as he held his father's hand, like the good boy he was.

It brought tears to her eyes, Isamu looked so big compared to Kimiko, and she had missed him in the small time she had been away from home.

"Come here Amu, there's someone who wants to meet you!"

She gestured for him to walk closer, and he let go of Itachi's hand running to Naruko, getting on his tiptoes to try and give a better look, but he couldn't really see much, so his father picked him up, and his big eyes studied the small bundle in the blonde's arms with a frown.

"See? That's your baby sister" Itachi and Naruko shared a quick glance as they both looked at their children in silent adoration.

"She ugly!" he screeched with a frown, and his parents both laughed at that, both aware that sibling rivalry was something they were going to have to deal with in the future.

Author's note:

And that's a wrap!

So, what to say, when I started this story, I really didn't have much if a plot in mind, it was supposed to be a two-shot, and then it was supposed to have just a few chapters, I think it's pretty clear in the beginning that I didn't really know where I was going with this, and I still think that it will need to be fixed in the future, but nonetheless, I finished it, and if I did so, it was because of all of you who have supported and loved this story from the beginning to end, to all of you who have put it in your alert list as favorited or followed, and to all of you who have reviewed, even if just once, every single one of them has helped me, and supported me, and I can't say enough jow grateful I am for all the love and affection I have received.

Thank you, to all of you!

Ps. For who follows Road to Perdition, the chapter will probably be out by the end of next week, I will do my best to have it out by then.

Thank you!

Darkshadows92