Tests of Heart

🌸Chapter 10: Surprise Trip

One day about a week after Sai's last visit, Sakura heard more commotion in the research lab than normal. It was then a gust of wind blew the door causing piles of books to fall over and papers to go everywhere.

"What's going on?!" Sakura panicked, grasping her hair in her hands.

There in the door stood Temari and her brothers, and the Konoha 12 with Orochimaru laughing behind them.

"You're going out!" he said with a smile at his goddaughter.

"B-bu-but the research!" Sakura argued as TenTen took one arm and Temari her other.

"It'll still be here and be accomplished with or without you, my dear," he said confidently.

"Pack her bags nerds! We're going to Suna!" Temari exclaimed, laughing.

Sakura could only go along with the group.

Sakura wasn't in any state to travel so the group got a carriage for the girl and another for the kids. It would prolong the trip by another day or two, but it was worth it to get the girl back a little bit of health and was nice to bring the kids along. Ino sat in the carriage with Sakura, making sure the girl slept and ate and giving her regular checkups. It was at the end she noticed Sakura was eating at least twice as much as she normally would.

"Sakura?" Ino asked as the woman was laid down on the seat opposite her.

Sakura hummed as her arm curled around her middle as she laid there, her other arm under her head as a pillow.

"What is it, Ino?" Sakura asked.

"Are you pregnant?" she asked hopefully.

Sakura let a small smile on her face and her eyes slowly opened. Sakura slowly rubbed her stomach lovingly and nodded.

"I'm surprised Naruto and Sai didn't say anything," Sakura said softly. "They knew."

Ino made a mental note to beat the living hell out of her husband but pushed it down to be there for her friend and her baby.

"Do you want everyone to know?" Ino asked tentatively.

Sakura thought for a moment and shook her head.

"I'll let everyone find out when it's time," Sakura said softly.

It wasn't Ino's style, but she'd keep this secret for now. It was then that the carriage stopped, and a knock was heard on the door. This caused the two to be on alert as no one else knocked, they just entered the carriage.

"Who's there?" Ino called.

It was then the door opened, throwing light into the dim room and a head of orange hair launched themselves at Sakura.

"Shouko?" Sakura asked, stunned at the tall girl.

"Sakura sensei!" Doda exclaimed next as he got into the carriage. "Where have you been?!"

Next to come in was a crying Leoko, just happy to see the pinkette again.

Sakura opened her arms to the three teens and they all gladly got in the group hug.

"I'm sorry about them, Sakura-san," Kisame said from outside the carriage.

After a moment, Sakura ushered the children out and stretched before giving attention to Kisame who looked utterly devastated.

"I uh...didn't know what to tell the kids," Kisame said as he looked at them playing in the waters of the oasis.

Sakura sighed and shook her head.

"When have I ever been Sakura-san to you?" she asked with a slight smile.

Kisame looked over at her and his rueful smile turned genuinely happy. "Thank you."