Hachi

Chapter Three

{Mature Content Warning}

***

Naruto's clones had always been different than other people's, and over the years he'd refined his techniques even further. His clones had a strange physicality. They were wildly impractical in some ways, since they required food and water and all that- but they were much sturdier than a standard bunshin-no-jutsu clone. Combined with that bizarre perverted jutsu of his, the clone technique resulted in a vessel- for lack of a better word- that both Naruto and Sakura were convinced would be capable of carrying a baby.

...they were both insane. Sasuke wasn't disputing that it would work: what did he know about these things? It was just that who on earth would have even come up with this idea in the first place?

"Remarkable," Sakura commented, staring at the clone in front of her with amazed eyes. "Yes, this will do nicely."

"Mm," Sasuke replied gruffly, arms still folded over his chest.

"Of course, I'm not surprised that you mastered the technique so quickly," Sakura added with a cheeky grin. "You've maintained it for...how long now? A week? And no strain?"

"No strain," Sasuke confirmed. "And it's been nine days."

Nine days, and Sasuke barely noticed the extra pull on his chakra- the tiny bit of his energy being diverted into the clone. Sasuke had maintained clones continuously for much longer than this, and he was used to the strange sensation of being in two places at once; of being able to see through their eyes, feel what they touched. Naruto's clone techniques really were remarkable, and had proved immensely useful over the years.

"I'm sure Naruto is thrilled," Sakura commented, motioning for the clone to lie down on the examination table. "And probably still in shock that you agreed to even try his new jutsu."

Sasuke had mentioned it to him, of course, that he intended to maintain the clone for at least a week to see what would happen. And in the same breath, he'd given the blonde a dire warning not to get his hopes up. No-one had ever done anything like this before. This was all just a test.

Naruto had taken that well enough. Indeed he'd been far more upset that Sasuke had- once again- so quickly perfected a technique that had takenhim so long to learn.

"You know, everyone always said you'd be a stunning girl," Sakura giggled to herself, as she set to work examining the clone. "They were right! Naruto told me how gorgeous she was. I think he's quite taken with her."

Sasuke rolled his eyes at that. The clone barely looked any different than a male one- barely any different than him. A slightly lighter build, perhaps. And Sasuke's hair had already gotten pretty long these past few years, so not even that was different. As for the clone's, well, female assets, they were subtle, and all but hidden under the baggy outfit Sasuke had it wearing.

...still. Naruto's reaction to it had further strengthened his resolve to keep the thing out of sight for the whole nine months. If it worked.

"So everything's okay with it?" Sasuke asked, gazing at his female self on the table.

"Seems to be," Sakura said. "Are you able to modify her in any way, or is this the easiest form for you to maintain?"

"Modify it how?" Sasuke asked, narrowing his eyes.

"Wider hips," Sakura said matter-of-factly, looking down at the clone critically.

Well, that did it. He'd been doing so well at holding himself together, and then-