A Moment of Weakness

Part 9

Through the morning sickness and exhaustion, Lee was there, almost as he was during Sakura's first pregnancy, but this time even closer than before. Tsunade was given the next 10 weeks to figure out the best coverup, either a long-term genjutsu or even just sending her out of the village for a 'mission' that would last the next 6 months.

Sakura never ended up going back to work and when she was asked why, her immediate response was almost always the same "I enjoy being with my baby as much as I can." and that was almost always enough of a reason. Her relationship with Tenten never went back to what it was, never wanting to bring even more suspicion between them.

The conversation about what would happen with the baby and her relationship with Lee after giving birth was never complete. Neither wanted things to end, but both knew that the affair would have to stop after this. Until then, Lee still helped take care of Sarada even more than before, but Sakura and Lee spoke less. Not completely but to avoid becoming more attached, fewer words were used. They still slept in the same bed most nights, and Lee came home to Sakura as often as he could.

One morning, after the morning sickness subsided, and after Sarada was fed, Sakura sat on the floor, making sure to watch as Sarada played and pushed herself up during tummy time, stuck toys in her mouth, and babbled. Lee had gone to the store before sunrise and returned not too late after.

When he returned to find Sakura playing with Sarada, he looked for a moment longer than he usually did and saw it for the first time, underneath her loose top, Sakura had finally formed a small baby bump with the way she was sitting. As much as he wanted to ignore it, it only made the pain worse. Every day as the baby grew, Lee knew even more that their time was coming to an end. And now it was inevitable and visible.

"You are-" He held back at first after silence. Sakura smiled, expecting him to say something sweet or kind. His eyes darted away, and he continued. "You are showing now." Sakura's heart sank. Lee took his time putting groceries away before sitting on the ground with her. "It is not... I think you still look beautiful, Sakura."

"But that isn't why you brought it up." Lee shook his head, showing that Sakura was correct. "We still have to figure it out like we've been saying, but I wish we didn't have to." She lowered her head, gluing her eyes to the baby in front of her, and putting a hand on her lower belly.

"I have been telling myself this the whole time since we started, um, you know, but I do not think I have ever felt it fully until now," he sighs and grabs a toy in front of him, trying to get Sarada to come to him. "I know you have not said it to me and as much as I would like you to, I know you will not leave Sasuke to be with me." Shaking the toy to make it rattle slightly, he looks up at her. "You took off your wedding ring but I know you still have it and that you can not say no to Sasuke when he returns."

Sarada began crawling to Lee, drawing Sakura's eyes to Lee's. All she could get out for a few minutes was a sorry nod. Lee knew her well enough.

"But you know that it's not your fault?" Lee shook his head. "Well, it's not. This is my fault and you... you're right. When he comes back, I will end up... back with him. And Lee," She reached over for his hands, seeing the bandages on his arms tighten as he clenched his fists. "It isn't fair to you." Lee sat quietly, trying not to react to the confirmation, or to Sakura's gentle touch.

"Then tell me why, Sakura? Why do I want to care about you knowing I will just end up getting hurt? I can not stop caring about you," he relaxes his hands and accepts her hands into his, wrapping his fingers tightly around her palms. "I want to take care of you but I... I will not have that option after the baby comes."

"I wish I knew that he wouldn't come back, Lee. I want you to be around more than anything-"

"Not more than you want Sasuke to stay the next time he comes back." Lee let go of Sakura's hands. "That is the way it is." Sakura picked up Sarada, who had begun to grab at Lee's bandages. "But I still hope you'll let me take care of you until the baby is born."