Tests of Heart

🌸Chapter 8: Smothered Plans

August came and went and with it the feeling of unease stayed in Nagato, though it was bearable until September finally took hold. He felt as if someone was planning something behind his back.

Sakura had no idea of the impact the feeling was having on Nagato. He wasn't saying anything about the feeling, not knowing how to explain his suspicions. Without a real reason, other than a feeling, he didn't think it was worth saying anything about. She was happy in the moment and that's all he cared about.

He smiled as he watched her pack and listened intently as she talked about what she was going to do for the month she was going to be away. It was going to be torture for him to have her so far and not hear her voice, but he had fun plans of his own.

"And then it's Shikadai's birthday too, right on Ino's and it's gonna be a whole affair!" she said happily as she jumped up and down in joy.

It was then she turned a little green and she rushed to the bathroom as she lost her breakfast. She had an idea of what was going on now, but she didn't want to say anything quite yet. She had lots to plan for the announcement after all. Nagato pulled Sakura's hair up for her as she continued to lose her breakfast, and he sighed.

"Maybe we need to go for an appointment?" Nagato muttered out.

Sakura sighed as she finished and got up.

"I don't need a medic," she said resolutely as she went to the sink and splashed water on her face.

Nagato held up his hands in surrender at her tone of voice and chuckled.

"Okay there, Miss Medic," he said jokingly.

Sakura laughed and turned to him, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Soon to be Mrs. Uzumaki," she laughed.

Nagato laughed along with her.

"Soon," Nagato agreed.

With a last hug, Sakura was off on her vacation. This year was a busy one and they had traveled a lot, but it seemed to Nagato that Sakura never minded traveling. He knew she missed going on missions since she took over the hospital and took to teaching medical ninjutsu to those that wanted to learn.

He laid back on his bed and let out a sigh. It would be a long month with her gone. His routine revolved around her and work after all. He would go to work, do his paperwork and attend meetings, then he'd get home and spend time with Sakura if he didn't have a mission he had to do outside of the village.

"I guess I travel a lot too," Nagato mused to himself as he laid there thinking of how often he was actually away from the village due to him being the ambassador of Ame.

It was then that he heard a knock at the front door. With a grunt of effort, he pushed himself out of bed and took his time walking down the stairs. He recognized the chakra signature easily, so he didn't feel the need to hurry. It was then he detected three other familiar chakra signatures, and he chuckled in amusement.

"What is it, you four?" Nagato asked as he opened the door to find Kisame and his team.

He looked over the three smiling teenagers, newly chuunin other than Shouka, and smiled seeing Leoko with a bundle of flowers.

"Hi Nagato-san!" Leoko said cheerily as she handed him the bouquet.

Nagato took them with a smile and beckoned the four in.

"So where is Sakura, Red?" Shouko asked Nagato, making him laugh at the nickname she gave to him.

"She already left," Nagato answered as he placed the flowers into Sakura's favorite vase.