Naruto Karyuden

Chapter 53: Academy Days XII - Azuki and Shohei

ACADEMY DAYS XII - AZUKI AND SHOHEI

Hatake household

At eight months pregnant, now's an important period for Anko. It's been becoming increasingly difficult for her to continue her daily life as much as she's tried not to let it affect her. She was warned, of course, that she needs to rest more but resting means more time to worry and worry is not something she's really done in a long time.

However, the time has come where she has no choice. If this baby is to come out good and healthy, she's got to listen to the medics. Thankfully, she's had help in warding the boredom away.

"Thanks for coming so often." Anko grunts as she tries to stand up to fetch the coffee from the pot.

Kurenai stops her and goes to do it herself. "No need for thanks. I know all too well what this time is like so I figured you'd need support. Or someone to talk to, at the very least." She chuckles.

"Yeah, well, I'm thankful, anyway. Who knew having a baby took this much effort." Anko raises her feet on a stool, getting into a comfier position. "Can't even get my guest coffee."

"Plenty of women know, Anko." Kurenai takes a cup from one of the cupboards and sips herself some coffee. "Don't tell me you came into this thinking it'd be easy. I could've told you otherwise."

"Not like we really planned for it to happen, you know. It just... happened." She tries to look behind the couch to the kitchen where Kurenai is but realizes it'd require too much movement for now.

"I noticed. You got pregnant before anyone could even process you two are an item." Kurenai walks back to the table, cup of coffee in hand.

Anko winces. "Was it really that fast?"

"I suppose? Then again, I've never known you as someone to take things slow. I just didn't think that would also translate to..." Kurenai gestures to her belly, "This."

Anko sighs and leans her head back. "I rushed into it, didn't I? Got too involved too quick and now there's no time to second guess."

Kurenai raises a brow. "Are you second guessing? Do you and Kakashi not want a baby."

"Yes. I mean no. I mean... we both want it, just... maybe we should've waited. We barely even knew what our relationship was before it got to the baby part. We'd never even been in a serious relationship before all this." Anko runs her hands across her face and groans.

"Hey, hey." Kurenai moves to sit closer to her, taking her hand for comfort. "You can't let yourself get trapped in that mindset. It's not going to help you nor Kakashi nor little Azuki. When you see her cute face and little fingers, it'll all wash away, I promise."

Anko smiles. "Maybe. Is that how it was for you?"

"More or less. I was so worried about what I'd do without Asuma, but with the help of Taisaku, Shikamaru, and even Konohamaru... I wasn't as lost as I thought I'd be. I'm sure it'll be the same with you; you'll see all your worries were for nothing. I know both you and Kakashi and I know you'll be amazing parents together."

"Oh, honey, we'll be the best." Anko laughs. "Kakashi's been... way different than the person we all know him as. More open about himself, more gentle, more attentive to other people's needs and wants..."

"That sounds great." Kurenai smiles.

"So I had to slap him around to tell him to knock it off."

"Wha- Why?!" Kurenai has to heavily restrain herself from smacking a pregnant woman over the head.

"'Cause it was really freaky! Felt like I was cheating with some guy disguised as Kakashi." Anko shudders.