It's been about a month since Naruto has left. Sakura hadn't felt this empty since he and Sasuke left her in Konoha all those years ago. But she's a stronger person now and was sure the knucklehead wouldn't want her to sulk like this. Sakura's determined not to let this get her down and continue to go on.

At least before she started feeling under the weather. Like she has the flu or something. Its been keeping her from work so she decided to get checked up.

Sakura was patiently waiting for her results. It always felt weird to be the patient since she's used to being the doctor all the time. The kunoichi let her mind wander, she was wondering where her old teammates could be right now, or if the two idiots confessed or not. She giggled at the thought.

"I hope you're happy Naruto….” She whispered to herself.

All of a sudden the doctor walked in holding the results.

"Is it the flu?", Sakura asked wondering what’s making her ill every morning.

"No. Haruno-san the reason you're feeling sick is that, well... We've run some tests and it looks like you're pregnant." The doctor said handing Sakura the paperwork.

Sakura's eyes widen and she quickly took her files and read through every result.

"You double-checked?", the medical ninja asked.

"Yes. You know we always do Haruno-san."

Sakura sighed. She gave the paperwork back to the doctor. Her doctor was right if anyone knows how this hospital works the rosette does. She wasn't Tsunade-sama's successor for nothing. Sakura ran her fingers through her hair trying to grasp the situation. The kunoichi knew exactly who the father was. It is highly frowned upon by the villagers of Konoha for children to be born out of wedlock. It was, even more, looked down on to be a single mother. Sakura was scared, she was scared for the future of her child. It wouldn't be easy raising this kid on her own.

"Haruno-san before we discuss anything further, are you going to have an abortion or are you going to keep the child?", The doctor asked without a blink of an eye.

Sakura wasn't surprised by the insensitive question. She often asked future single mothers herself. But it didn't mean it wasn't hard to hear. Most of the time women would say they want an abortion because they would rather not deal with all the trouble of raising a child without support from a man, and to be ridiculed by villagers. But she didn't think she could do that. Not only was this child growing inside her womb hers, but Naruto's as well. She held onto her lower stomach. The medical ninja took in a slow breath.

"I'm going to keep this child.", Sakura answered.

"Are you sure Haruno-san?"

"Yes."

"So you know what’s next right?"

"Yes, I have to find an obstetrician to watch over me so the pregnancy goes well.", Sakura explained.

"Exactly, would you like Yoshiro-san or Ai-san?"

Sakura was thinking. Those weren't the only obstetricians, but they were the best ones in Konoha. She didn't want to go with Ai because she could be very judgmental of single mothers. Yoshiro was more opened minded and would just focus on making sure she had a safe and successful pregnancy.

"Yoshiro-san.", Sakura answered.

"Alright, I'll set an appointment for next week with him." She began writing a doctors note, “Give this to the Hokage. You're in no condition to go on any c rank missions or higher."

She took the paper and sighed. It wouldn't be easy but... Sakura wanted this child. She wanted to raise this child that belongs to her and Naruto. While most women saw this as a disaster, Sakura saw this as a blessing. The kunoichi still loved Naruto dearly, and she was very happy to give birth to his child.

Sakura was walking to the Hokage's office with the doctor's note in her hand. Kakashi was like a second father to her. It was already going to be hard to tell her parents but having to tell Kakashi, the man who took her in as his first and last student, the man that looked at her as his child. But she has to be brave, she'll soon have to endure the worst treatment from closed-minded villagers. The kunoichi breathed in and out before finally walking inside the office. Kakashi was alone, working on what looked like some mission reports.

"Hokage-sama I need to give you something," she said as she closed the door behind her.

"Just call me Kakashi Sakura. There is no need for formalities with you.", Kakashi explained to the girl. Sakura couldn't help it. It was a good habit to respect her superiors. "So what is it you need my brightest kunoichi?”, the masked man smiled even though Sakura couldn't see his mouth she's known him long enough to know what he looks like when he's smiling.

The rosette decided to treat the news like a band-aid and get it over with. Sakura walked to his desk handing him the note quickly.

"What's this?" Kakashi asked as he began reading the note.

"It's a doctors note...", Sakura replied, "I'm not permitted to go on any c or higher rank missions for 2 months. After that, I am not fit to go on any missions for 7 months." She explained calmly.

"I see... And you'll need a little time after that to gather yourself correctly?", Kakashi asked as he put the note away.

"Yes..." She answered.

The two were silent for a moment.

Sakura felt the pressure of the silence eat away at her. She felt she needed to explain herself, "Kakashi I know you must be disappointed with me but-"

Sakura was cut off her sentence by the man's hug. The kunoichi was shocked at how fast he moved from his chair to her side. Sakura couldn't help but cry in shame.

"Sakura I may have neglected to tell you and the boys this before but... I love you three. You three have made me so proud. I could never imagine replacing you guys. This doesn't make me any less proud of you Sakura.", He let go of her placing his hands on her shoulders looking at her eyes, "You've come a long way. Maybe longer than those boys. I can't imagine how hard it is for you to give up two loves."

Sakura couldn't help but giggle a little, "Only one sensei... The Sasuke I loved only exists in my fantasies."

Kakashi chuckled, "Maybe, but he still broke your heart none the less right?"

The rosette kept silent.

"So I'm guessing that this is Naruto's child?" Kakashi said letting her go, eyes wandering to her stomach.

Jade eyes widen at his deduction, but she smiled nodding, “Yes..”, he hugged herself.

"Are you going to tell him when he returns?"

"Like Sasuke will come home easily, now that Naruto is following him like a little puppy.", Sakura teased her old teammates.

Kakashi laughed, "Yeah I guess you're right about that, but still I think you should tell him."

"Well, I'll worry about that when he comes home... Right now I have more important things to worry about."

"I suppose you're right.", Kakashi walked back to his seat, "Now that's all settled, I should get back to work."

"Yeah.." Before Sakura went back she bowed, "Thank you sensei, for everything." She exits the room before Kakashi responded.

He smiled, "You've chosen a hard path... But that will make you stronger in the end.

XxX

Sakura decided she wanted to tell Ino before she told her parents. Ino is her best friend and ex-rival, she felt if there was anyone she could tell it was her. When Sakura walked by the flower shop she saw Choji and the girl talking with one another. The kunoichi couldn't help but admire the cute couple. After the war Ino and Choji have gotten a lot closer and slowly the two started going out. Sakura was a little envious of their love, but she couldn't hate her friend for finding someone right for her.

After the two kissed each other goodbye Choji left the shop with a goofy smile and rosy cheeks. The medical ninja giggled at the cute sight before walking up to the register to greet her friend.

"Hey, Sakura! Were the doctors able to see what's wrong with you?", Ino asked concerned.

"Yeah, but it's not the flu like I thought.", Sakura answered.

"Really? What is it then?"

"I'm pregnant..."

Sakura didn't realize how much of her strength that took. It was amazing how powerful words could be sometimes.

"Oh my god... Come on." The blonde said as she took off her apron. She grabbed Sakura's wrist.

"Wait where are we going?"

"We're going to the park, I have questions!"

"But what about the shop?"

"Don't worry about it! I'll take responsibility for it later!"

She dragged her friend out of the shop changing the sign to ' close ' and took her childhood friend to the park. They both sat on the bench.

"So first things first, who's the father?" Ino asked excitedly.

Sakura only sighed at her friend's eagerness.

"You can't tell anyone, understand?"

"Yeah Yeah, now tell me!"

Sakura took a deep breath and gathering up more of her courage, "Naruto..."

"I knew it! I knew you two slept together!"

"It was only one time you pig! Stop treating this like gossip and take it seriously!"

Ino saw how serious her friend was and decided to tone it down a little, "Sorry, I guess I got a little carried away.."

"You think?" Sakura said in a sarcastic tone.

"Alright so how far along are you?"

"When I looked at the file it said about a month..."

"They're able to find out that early?"

"Yeah…”

"Are you going to keep it Sakura?"

The rosette looked down for a moment. She was fiddling with her fingers gathering herself.

"I am..."

"Sakura..." Ino looked at her with concern.

"I know... It's not a wise decision... but this is his child...and mine.", tears gather in her green eyes, "I love him Ino... I can never imagine getting rid of the life he helped me create..."

The blonde hugged Sakura close, "I'm here for you Sakura... If you need anything I'm here for you. And no matter what remember, you're the strongest girl in Konoha... No matter what people say or think you're still my best friend!”

Sakura smiled. She was blessed to have Ino and Kakashi by her side.

"You'll always be my best friend Ino... No matter what.."

They both smiled hugging each other closer than ever. To think she sacrificed this friendship for a boy…they were stupid back than…

But they were different people now. Different people who knew friendship was more precise than any stupid crush.

Who knew what the future held. All Sakura knew she was glad she has her best friend by her side and her sensei's support

End of Part I