Sakura was on her way to the hospital for an ultrasound. It had been a couple of months since she discovered her pregnancy. The rosette hasn't told anyone besides Kakashi and Ino. She hasn't even told her parents yet, which would be a little trickier seeing how she has never really disappointed them before… but this would hit them hard. She let out a sigh from the stressful thought but decided to shake it off for now.

As she reached the entrance of the medical facility Sakura couldn’t help but notice Sai walking out with a couple of bandages around him. This was no surprise since the man had been away on an S ranked mission for about a month. It must have been strenuous on the ex-spy.

Sakura waved at him, “Hey Sai welcome back!” she had a smile on her face.

Sai gave a smile back that was as fake as a doll, “Hello Ugly. Here for work?”

Her grin faltered at her unwanted nickname, “No, but I guess you want to be set back to the hospital huh?”

Sai only snickered at her retort, probably expecting it. His smile was more genuine now, “How have you been Sakura?”

The kunoichi looked away, “Good.. things have been good.”

“I know we haven’t talked much since Naruto left. I wanted to say this though.” The pale man walked closer to the woman placing his hand on her shoulder, “I don't understand what it's like, so the best I can do is imagine it. I'm sorry Naruto prefers a man’s body over yours. I mean you did have a chance since it's not so different.”

Green eyes flared with rage, “You’re right Sai, you have no clue what the hell you're talking about!”

Sai frowned looking conflicted, “So… that’s not right then?”

Sakura sighed shaking her head, “No… but I see you're trying. Yes, it sucks Naruto isn't in love with me anymore… but It doesn’t mean we can’t care for each other.” Sakura took hold of Sai's hand on her shoulder, “Sure we can never be together romantically… but our bond as friends is a lot stronger than any bond we could have had as a couple. I wouldn't give that up for the world!” she had a grin on her face.

Onyx eyes widen surprised by her encouragement. He then gave a rare smile, “ I guess you'll be alright then.”

“Of course! Who do you think you’re talking to?”

“I suppose you’re right about that.” Sai looked at her once more, but something caught his eye about her. Something he just noticed, “Sakura..is it me or have you gained weight?”

Sakura's eyes widen her grin now faker than ever, “ What?”

“Well it's just, I understand woman can sometimes overeat if they feel depressed about lost love.”

“It’s your imagination.” one more word would be his undoing.

“Are you sure? Because your butt was a lot smaller the last time I saw it.”

After that, the only thing in Sai's line of vision was a fist.

 XxX 

Sakura was at Ichiraku ramen slurping angrily at her noodles, she had been craving it more than ever since she became pregnant. Sai was to her right with a black eye while Ino was to her left.

“Imagine my surprise when I come to see your ultrasound with you, and instead of being at your appointment I see you clobbering Sai into next week.” The blonde kunoichi sighed as she takes a sip of her oolong tea.

“My apologies Sakura. I had no idea you had gained weight from pregnancy, not because of depression.” Sai apologized bowing his head.

“I’m not fat you ass! I'm pregnant!! Read a book on it!!!”

Sai nodded, “I shall. Anyway, I guess that this child you're having is Naruto’s right?”

The rosette flinched, “I-Is it that obvious it's his.?”

“Well, I can only imagine you giving yourself to someone you care for. Unless you have someone else you would ha-“

Before he could finish Ino reached around punching his head, “Moron, of course, it's Naruto’s! Sakura isn't that kind of girl! Anyway, you need to watch what you say to Sakura. I know you're a moron when it comes to people, but if you wish to help Sakura keep that mouth of yours shut.”

The pale shinobi tilted his head, “Are my statements stressful Sakura?”

Sakura finished slurping the rest of her noodles, “Sometimes. Just be more mindful around me.”

He nodded, “Understood.”

Sakura let out a sigh, “Can’t believe I missed my appointment though… I wanted to see what my kid looked like.”

Ino sighed, “Oh I know it's a shame! But we can do it next week as they suggested.”

The medical ninja nodded resting her hand on her palm, “I guess..”

“So, have you messaged Naruto about his child?” the ex-spy asked.

“No why would I?” Sakura replied.

Ino couldn't help but ask, “Well Sakura doesn’t he have the right to know?”

“Yeah.. but I won't do that to him.”

Both Ino and Sai looked at her confused.

Sakura sighed explaining further, “ I won't do that to him because he's in love with Sasuke, not me… knowing Naruto if he heard I had a child he would probably come straight home.”

“But isn't that what you want Sakura, to have Naruto and a family with him?” Sai asked.

“Not if he doesn’t love me. It's not right to force people to love you if they don't love you back. Maybe back then I would have used it…” she gave a cold laugh, “ I would have used anything and everything as long as it meant I could have the men I loved…” tears started to form, “but that kind of love is cruel… true love should be something you share your heart with not overbear anyone with…. I've learned that the hard way.”

Ino gave a sad smile, “ I think I know what you mean… back then I was a shallow person… I only saw men as objects never real people… it wasn't in till I got to know Choji…because he wasn't the usual kind of guy I was attracted to I was able to get to know him as a person. And I found out that was the kind of person I wanted to love… And I was lucky to have him love me back…”

Sakura smiled, “ We both were so stupid back then huh?”

“Yeah… but I'm glad we're here now…we’ve changed all for the better..”

The rosette nodded with a gentle smile, “ I missed you.” She leaned her head against her shoulder.

Ino wrapped an arm around her shoulder, hugging her, “I missed you too.”

Sai stared at the two. He always used to think Sakura was ugly, but it wasn't because of her outer appearance. It was her desperate grasp she had on someone who only hurt her. How she would sometimes overlook people for her selfish gain. But over time when he got to know Sakura and her monsters, he realized she was working out her issues. It wasn't as big as everyone else but it was her to work on.

Now seeing her, pregnant with someone’s baby that doesn’t share the same feelings as her. She wasn't some girl desperate for love anymore. She was a woman who wanted to live for herself now. And seeing her no longer looking at someone and just looking at her future. It was something Sai started to admire about her.

He had already admired the girl before, but it was strange. The kind of admiration he had for her now was different. Something he wasn’t sure of himself.

Sai decided, for now, he would keep this odd feeling to himself.

“Hey, Forehead have you told your parents yet?” Ino asked letting her friend go.

Sakura froze at the question and quickly ignored it gulping down what was left of her soup.

“Hey, Forehead! You need to tell them! It's one thing not telling Naruto but these are your parents Sakura! They have the right to know about their grandchild!”

After Sakura slurped all the broth from her ramen she set the bowl down letting out a deep sigh, “ I know I know.. I'm nervous they'll be mad about it…”

“Yeah. But you should still tell them.” Her friend lectured.

“Fine…”

“Don’t worry Sakura. Even though I've never really had any, a parent has to care for their child right? So they should be understanding. If not today, they'll understand eventually.” Sai explained.

Sakura smiled at his encouragement, “You think so Sai?”

“Of course. Besides I'm sure it won't be the first time you disappointed them.”

Sakura's lip twitched before she kicked the anbu in the shin causing the man to fall out of his stool.

Ino looked down at him with pity, “You were so close Sai…”

 XxX

Sakura's stomach has gotten pretty swollen over the past six months she's been pregnant. Right now she was coming home from Doctor Yoshiro's appointment. It's been a struggle walking since she has this baby inside her weighing her down. It was also hard since now it was more obvious to everyone that she's pregnant. She gets stared at with disapproval by elders and women. She even sometimes hear them gossip about her. There was this one time she was at the store and someone groped her. It reminded her of her first dangerous mission in the land of waves.

She turned to see some pervert asking if she wanted to mess around. She made sure to punch him through the roof. Sakura was earned even more stares, but she was too angry to care at that moment. It seems the lewd assholes think she's some slut just because she's pregnant out of wedlock. She didn't care if this was the treatment she was going to get from everyone. Sakura had Ino Sai and the rest of the rookie nine on her side. She wasn't going to let these prejudice villagers get her down.

As she was walking Sakura often wondered if this is what it was like for Naruto and Sasuke. Feeling like everyone is talking about you negatively. She shook her head, "They probably had it a lot worse than me..." Sakura walked into her apartment. After the war, Sakura decided it would be better if she started being more independent. When she walked in she saw her mother in the kitchen.

"M-Mom what are you doing here?", Sakura waddled into the kitchen.

Mebuki answered, "What does it look like I'm doing child? I'm cooking you a meal."

"Mother please, I can take care of myself!"

"Ever since you've gotten pregnant all you've been craving is ramen and junk food."

"Mom!"

"It's true, isn't it? You need to eat healthy food so my grandchild will grow nice and strong."

Sakura sighed. She couldn't argue with her mom since she was right. But it didn't make her less sad she couldn't have her ramen mixed with her shrimp potato chips tonight.

"Thanks, mom..."

After she told her parents they were ashamed at first, but after a while, they came around. They were even excited knowing they'll soon be grandparents. She was glad she took Ino's advice, and Sai was right. Even though they didn’t like the idea at first here her mother was cooking her a meal because she was concerned about her and her child.

"Did you just come from the doctors?" Mebuki asked as she was cooking. Sakura decided to start helping her out and began chopping some of the vegetables.

"Yeah, they told me the gender," Sakura answered.

The blonde women paused, "Gender?", She turned to her daughter, " Well what is it?"

Sakura giggled. She could tell her mother was trying to hide her excitement.

"It's going to be a boy."

Her mother squealed, "Oh my god, honey!" she hugged the girl tight, "You're going to have a son!"

Sakura smiled, "I know..."

"I have to tell your father! Watch the stew while I call him!"

"Okay." Sakura giggled. She watched the stew smiling. The kunoichi didn't care if she was looked down on for having this boy. Sakura was lucky to have her family and friends. She wasn't going to let these villagers get her spirits down. Sakura was going to love this boy with all her heart.

 XxX

 "I appreciate this Sai.", Sakura smiled gently.

"It's no problem." Sai insisted as he set up her bed.

Sakura was now on the last leg of her third trimester, so she was staying over at Sai's place because she was due any day now. Because of this, it would be very inconvenient for her to stay in her apartment on the third floor. Sai was kind enough to offer her to stay at his house in till she goes into labor. She would have stayed at her parent's place or Ino's. But Sai had the extra space in his house and he didn't have any extra obstacles like stairs. Plus what sold Sakura on the idea was the fact he was his air conditioning that neither her parents or Ino had. Sure it was one of the more selfish reasons, but when it's warm spring in Konoha and you’re a moody pregnant lady, it's one of the smaller blessings she appreciates Sai's home for having.

"Have you thought of a name yet?" Sai asked after he finished with the last of the covers.

"I've thought of a few but none of them sound good enough for Naruto... I mean this is his kid, I want to give him a good name that would have made Naruto proud if he was here." Sakura said as she drank some of her ice green tea.

"I understand what you mean... You know ever since I've gotten to know you both I started to change... For the better of course."

"Let's hope so.", Sakura giggled.

Sai gave the girl a genuine smile he only gives to Naruto and her, " I could never clearly understand Naruto's relationship with Sasuke. Even now I still wonder why he would choose him over everything else, but maybe that's for the best. Anyway, what I'm saying here is Naruto to me has always reminded me of the sun. While you remind me of the earth and Sasuke reminds me of the moon."

Sakura stared at awe while the anbu explained.

"Maybe you could name your child related to that.”

"To the sun?"

"Yeah."

It wasn't crystal clear but Sakura had a better idea of what she would name her son.

“So why am I earth?” Sakura asked as she took another sip.

“Hmmm well, definitely your strength comes into factor” Sai explained. Sakura wasn't surprised by his answer half expecting it to end with an insult as usual., “But I think the more I think about it, earth suits you the most because you always care for others…and I think you care for them more now than you ever have before. Especially when it comes to Naruto. And part of me thinks that’s why you want to have this child. It's in your nature to want to help others… I think that’s one of the qualities about you I like most.”

Sakura couldn't help but blush as she looked away, “I-I see.. well um… I think I should get some rest. It's been a long day.”

Sai nodded, “I understand, I need to send my report to Kakashi anyway. I'll return around dusk.” He exits the room to give her some privacy.

Sakura sighed covering her face. Her heart was thumping a little fast from that conversation. Sai sometimes does that to her, but she can never be sure if he's genuine or if he's saying that because he deducts that's the right thing to say. Either way that was the last thing she needed to think about right now.

She rubbed her stomach curling closer to herself, “The only thing that should be on my mind is you my dear boy…” the rosette closed her eyes, “You are what matters most now.”

End of part II