The Secret

10

Over the course of the next several months, Sasuke repeatedly returned to Uzushiogakure in an attempt to convince Naruto to leave the older Uchihas and get with him. Each attempt simply resulted in Sasuke being kicked out of the village by either Itachi or Obito while Naruto remained in his office, tear tracks forming on his cheeks. It became so common for Sasuke to show up, that the second a guard came storming into the office, the trio instantly knew who was at the gates.

After seven months of this behavior, with Naruto entering the eighth month of pregnancy, the trio finally decided they'd had enough of the troublesome raven. The blond was stressed out, and nearly miscarried too many times to count because of it. Itachi and Obito both were fed up with Sasuke's constant visits, to the point where they decided enough was enough.

Naruto was sitting at his desk, rubbing his hand over his large belly, playing with his unborn child, when the guard burst into the room. Before the man even opened his mouth, Naruto looked up a him with dull eyes.

"Send Sasuke through," he said in a resigned voice. "And please tell my husbands as well." The guard nodded and left the office just as quickly as he had entered. Naruto leaned back in the chair and massaged his temples. He figured this would be the visit that sent him into labor. He was just grateful the baby had waited this long and would be able to survive if it were to be born in the next few days.

Sasuke stormed through the office doors as if he owned the place. The attitude truly pissed the blond off.

"Are you willing to leave those two traitors and get with me yet?" Sasuke asked the second he stood in front of the desk. He crossed his arms and smirked in triumph.

Before the blond had time to answer, two shadows appeared draping over Sasuke's figure. He turned around to see Itachi and Obito standing behind him.

"I think you need to leave, Sasuke, for good this time," Itachi said, eyes narrowed at his little brother.

Sasuke scoffed. "You're just upset because Naruto is going to choose me over you." He crossed his arms and smirked at the two older ravens.

"If he hasn't chosen you yet, after all this time, I don't think it's going to happen ever," Obito stated.

"Are you sure about that?" Sasuke asked.

Instead of falling to the younger raven's level and responding, the older two looked over at the blond sitting behind his desk. The instant they noticed the look on the blond's face they grew concerned.

Naruto had his eyes closed as he practiced his breathing exercises, rubbing a hand over his stomach. He grimaced in pain and continued to focus on his breathing.

When Sasuke realized the others were no longer paying attention to him, he turned to see where they were looking, only to find the blond he was obsessed with leaning over in his chair and groaning. He tilted his head, about to ask what the problem was, when Itachi and Obito rushed over to the blond's side. They kneeled down on either side of the chair, checking the man over, concern in their eyes. Before they could ask what was happening, they noticed a wet spot growing in the chair, seeping into the fabric, before it slowly started dripping onto the floor. They looked up and caught one another's eye, nodding simultaneously.

Itachi stood quickly and hurried out the door, shouting for someone to alert the doctor. Meanwhile, Obito scooped the panting blond into his arms and started making his own way out of the office. Everyone forgot about the younger raven, who was left behind, extremely confused as to what was going on. He followed behind Obito, wanting to find out what had the two men so worried.

~~~

Naruto lay in a hospital bed, groaning and tensing every time a contraction hit. He had to wait until the doctor arrived before he could finally give birth.

Within minutes, the door burst open and the doctor, Konan, appeared, ushering several more medical Nin into the room. They pushed the bed out of the door and down the hall, toward the operating room. Obito walked in a few minutes after they had gotten set up, and was allowed to stay by Naruto through the procedure. He and Itachi would take turns every time Naruto gave birth. Itachi of course had been in the room when Fumiko was born, so this time it was Obito.

Ten minutes into the procedure, a baby's cry sounded in the room, causing Naruto to tear up. He prayed his baby would be healthy, despite how early they were.

"It's a girl!" Konan called, she handed the baby to another medic Nin while she continued attending to Naruto. It took several minutes before he was healed enough to leave the operating room, returning to the hospital room he had originally been in. Itachi was waiting for them. Obito followed the blond, before informing Itachi of the baby's gender.

It's a few hours more before the baby was brought into the room. Konan informed them that she was healthy, though it was important to keep an eye on her in case her early birth caused any unforeseen complications. Obito held her first, and stared at her bright red hair. Knowing who Naruto's mother was, it didn't surprise him in the least. When Itachi saw it, he had to smile. The little girl definitely resembled Kushina.

Naruto had tears in his eyes when he saw the little girl. She opened her eyes and he gasped. They were almost purple.

"Beautiful. She's so beautiful," Naruto whispered.

"What should we name her?" Itachi asked softly.

"Akane," Obito replied instantly. He knew that was her name the moment he saw her deep red hair.

Naruto smiled at the name, testing it out himself. He nodded and held his arms out to take her. Obito obliged and handed Akane to Naruto.

Before he could fully enjoy the baby in his arms, the door burst open, and Sasuke stood there seething. The loud sound caused Akane to begin crying, and Naruto held her a little tighter as he glared at the intruding raven.

"Leave, Sasuke," Itachi commanded lowly.

Instead, the younger raven moved closer, catching a glimpse of Akane's red hair, and growing furious.

"So you won't choose me, but you're fine cheating on my brother with Gaara of all people? How low can you go?"

A tic mark appeared on Naruto's forehead when he realized Sasuke's meaning.

"I would never cheat on Itachi or Obito, you teme!"

Sasuke smirked. "Oh really? Then how do you explain the red hair? Nobody in our family ever had any, and you yourself are blond. So either you're lying and you've been cheating with Gaara, or that baby isn't actually yours." He crossed his arms, believing he had won the argument.

"Did you hit your head on something, foolish otouto?" Itachi asked, a slight growl in his tone. "Naruto is an Uzumaki, a clan known for their bright, flaming, red hair. I met his mother, she had hair just as bright as Akane's, which proves that she is our child, as well as showing off her Uzumaki heritage."

Sasuke glared at his brother, realizing he was right. He stormed out of the room in a huff, leaving the family to bond with their newest member before the other children arrived.