"Careful now. That's my child you're carrying."

"Goddamn it Sasuke I can walk! I'm not handicapped, just pregnant!" Sasuke was guiding Shinasui down the hospital stairs after their ultrasound that day. The doctor put the results of the baby's gender in a sealed envelope so the sort-of-couple could show both their families the gender at the same time. Neither of them knew what the baby was aside from growing well and healthily. Sasuke however was nothing less than overly cautious. He rarely let Shinasui out of his sight unless he had to, his fatherly instincts wanting nothing more than for his baby to be safe. Shina however was steadily getting annoyed with the Uchiha. He was a bit over baring and the Hatake had no problem telling him to bug off.

"Sasuke you're so annoying! Why are you so up my ass all the time! Take it easy!" Shinasui sighed in annoyance. Sasuke blew a strand of stray raven hair from his eyes and placed a hand on the small of Shinasui's back.

"I have to be careful with you. You're carrying my heir to the Uchiha clan." Shinasui sighed again, offering Sasuke a small smile. Even though she was often annoyed by his antics, she knew it was because Sasuke genuinely cared. The silver haired girl looked up at Sasuke and truly noticed how handsome he was for the first time. His spiky black hair covered an eye, the single onyx eye revealed was warm and comforting. Sasuke's skin was lighter than Itachi, a slick porcelain color with a hint of soft pink on his cheeks. He was taller than Itachi and just a little bit taller than Naruto much to his dismay. Shinasui was caught in a trance, momentarily enamored by the man who fathered her child.

And because of her distraction she didn't notice she was about to trip into a ditch from a construction sight.

Before she was even able to really fall, Sasuke swooped her up in his arms. He raised an eyebrow at Shinasui who was awfully embarrassed for being proved wrong by Sasuke...yet again.

"See?" Shinasui huffed before relaxing in Sasuke's arms.

"At least I can rest my puffy feet now." Sasuke smirked, amused by Shinasui's adaptation.

"Oh now you aren't complaining?"

"Well you're finally doing something useful for once." A chuckle slipped passed Sasuke's lips as he looked down at the mother of his child. Her violet eyes were bright and her hair was lightly disheveled. Sasuke's favorite feature of her however was her medium sized baby bump. Sasuke knew that tonight, when they were finally alone after telling their families the gender, he had to finally come clean about his budding feelings.

He fell in love with Shinasui.

~~

Sasuke had an errand to run before their families met so he left Shinasui in the hands of the person he trusted most: Itachi. He basically dropped Shinasui on his doorstep before whispering in his elder brother's ear. Itachi smiled warmly at Sasuke then placed his hand on Shinasui's shoulder.

"I'm assuming Sasuke has been strict with you lately." Sasuke raised an eyebrow at Itachi's teasing expression.

"Tell me about it." Shinasui groaned while rubbing her belly. Her and Itachi have been closer than ever during this pregnancy, his wife Yumi being a great help. With her Mom and Dad always working and Naruto proctoring the final round of the Chunin Exams, she rarely saw her own family. Itachi has been taking care of her and has been sneaking her things Sasuke would be too stingy to get...like ice cream and ramen. It wasn't like Sasuke ever stopped her from eating those things, he wasn't a control freak, but he wanted his child to have only the best nutrients and vitamins. Itachi thankfully recognized that sometimes, it's not just only about what the baby should have but the mommy too.

"Itachi..." Sasuke said in a low voice to his smiling brother.

"Easy Sasuke...I'm just teasing how over protective you are of Shinasui." Sasuke glanced over at Shinasui and then down at her baby bump.

"Because she means too much to me to allow something to happen to her." Shinasui blushed heavily at Sasuke's words. She was slowly developing feelings for her baby daddy after all the time they had spent together. Their friendship was indestructible with each other which made neither of them worry about the future of their baby. They both knew that the other would always have their back, spouse or not. Shinasui didn't think Sasuke felt that way about her and tried to convince herself that his words were aimed towards the unborn child...but the double meaning still lingered...and she knew that.

"Well isn't that soft of you little brother? Alright Shinasui you and I have a day of mischief ahead of us together while Sasuke runs a few errands. Is that alright?" Itachi stated politely. Shinasui loved days where it was just Itachi and her one on one because he spoiled her rotten.

"Ugh yes! God bless!" She chuckled. Sasuke watched as she got ready to enter to home, following Itachi's footsteps. However he grasped her hand before she could make it through the door.

"Please...send for me if you need anything at all." Sasuke stated quietly. Shinasui gave Sasuke a soft smile, moving her free hand through his long bangs.

"You worry too much. I'll survive for a little while without my big strong body guard. It's you I should be worried about. Your stress isn't good for you. Relax a bit!" Sasuke sighed.

"I can't relax until this is all over and I know both you and the child will end up healthy and fine. Until then, I will do the best I can." Sasuke was especially bold post statement and kissed Shinasui's forehead.

"Now be good for Itachi." And with that he was gone.

~~

"Now that's Sasuke's gone, where do you want to go first?" Itachi asked Shinasui. The Hatake grinned happily.

"Ichiraku's! Sasuke hasn't let me eat ramen in forever! He says it's too much sodium for the baby." Itachi chuckled while escorting Shinasui out of his home.

"Yeah he's quite protective of the things he loves." Itachi stated lightly. Shinasui nearly did a double take at what Itachi said. Things he loves? I'm sure he means the baby!

Itachi took Shinasui to Ichiraku's and treated her to as much ramen as she wanted. She only ate one bowl because she wanted to eat ice cream after. Itachi really cared for Shinasui, the girl the spitting image of her mother. It was like hanging around a young Minako. Itachi then took Shina to the local ice cream parlor ran by a husband and wife duo. The woman made the ice cream and the husband waited the tables, both of them very personable and friendly. Shinasui remembered getting mochi there when her and Naruto completed successful missions. As Itachi guided her into the restaurant, she saw Asuma walking out with his daughter who was just about to graduate from the academy. Asuma was chewing slightly on a toothpick, his way of quitting cigarettes due to the begging of his daughter. Asuma was so enamored by her that he dropped them completely the day she asked him to...of course her crying about lung cancer made his heart hurt. Asuma's dark brown beard had hints of gray, his face in a light smile.

"Shina, Itachi...it's good to see you." Asuma nodded with a polite smile. Itachi smiled back with a nod and I grinned at Asuma.

"How are ya Asuma? Out and about with lil' Mirai?" The curly black haired girl pouted with her hands crossed.

"Hey! I'm gonna be a genin real soon! I'm not little anymore Miss Shina!" Itachi, Asuma, and Shinasui laughed, the young girl reminding the Hatake of her best friend Konohamaru.

"You're right Mirai. My bad. Are you excited? Your very own ninja headband!" The little girl nodded with stars in her crimson eyes.

"So excited! Daddy says he's gonna teach me all about wind style and Mommy said she's gonna teach me genjutsu! Soon I'll be able to beat up Uncle Shika!" Itachi and Shinasui couldn't hold back the smile they got from seeing Mirai's excitement. Shinasui rubbed her growing belly, only three months left and her and Sasuke would be parents. Shinasui wondered if her child would be an adventurous girl or boy like Mirai and Naruto...or if they would be smooth and cool like Sasuke or her father. Whatever they were...Shinasui was confident that she would love them with all of her heart and more. This child was unplanned, but the most comforting blessing she has ever received.

"I'm excited for you. Maybe when you're old and wise you can teach my future niece or nephew a few things." Mirai excitedly looked at Shinasui's belly, silently asking for permission to touch 'the baby'. Shinasui gave her a nod and a smile, allowing the twelve year old girl to pat her belly.

"Oh yeah, when are you due Shina? It's gotta be in September or October." Asuma asked. Shinasui was very happy and excited about something in particular with this child...and that was the due date.

"The baby is due my grandfather's birthday, September third." Asuma grinned.

"Oh I bet old man Kakashi is probably thrilled about that." Shinasui's smile faltered.

"Well...I hope so...when I tell him. He's been upset about this pregnancy. He hasn't looked at me the same." Shinasui looked at her feet, saddened by her father's rejection. Kakashi was not known to be that type of guy either...so she didn't know how to react to this. Asuma placed a hand on Shinasui's shoulder after picking up Mirai on his.

"Don't worry he will come around. He's had a harsh life and anytime anything tough happened, he shut right up or only spoke to your mom. However, if there's anything I know about being a dad, it's that your daughters hold your heart in the palm of your hand." Asuma's soft smile and blissful look in his eyes as he looked at Mirai filled Shinasui with a feeling of warmth. Imagining Sasuke looking at their child that way made her feel flushed and her heart beat a little faster. Shina felt so happy thinking about it...thinking about Sasuke holding their child...having him give them kisses and love...showing them the life he wished he had as a child.

Shina felt an overwhelming feeling of love for Sasuke in that moment and didn't quite understand what to do about it.

~~

"Mhm...the food today was delicious Itachi...thank you so much!" Shina smiled wide as she plopped down on the couch in Itachi's home. Itachi nodded with a smile.

"Of course. I hope you know I'm going to spoil my future niece or nephew rotten once they're born." Shinasui's sloppy grin grew a little wider at the mention of Itachi's soft side for children.

"I'm sure they'll love their Uncle Itachi more than life. I wonder what it'll be like having a little Sasuke running about."

"Talking about me?" Shinasui and Itachi turned their heads to see Sasuke walk through the doorway of Itachi's home. He had his infamous smirk on his face and a white shopping bag with him.

"Of course Sasuke! I was telling Itachi how you snore so loud and you never do your laundry." Itachi smirked, knowing both of those things Shina said were lies.

"Oh shut up loser, you never do laundry." Sasuke threw back. Shinasui smiled before catching her eyes on the bag.

"What's in the bag bro?" She replied. Sasuke lifted it up and raised his single visible eyebrow.

"Oh this? Nothing. Unless you're available for dinner tonight then you can find out." Itachi couldn't hide his smile. Sasuke's personality changed when she was around Shinasui. They were too dense about emotions however for either to realize they were in love. Itachi knew for months...and all that was left was for Sasuke to man up and make his feelings known.

"Well aren't you sly? Well perhaps after a nice nap and foot rub I can find some time to pencil you into my schedule." Sasuke let out a sigh with a smile and sat at the end of the couch, putting down the bag and placing Shinasui's swollen feet in his lap.

"You drive a hard bargain woman but I guess." The moment Sasuke began rubbing her feet Shinasui groaned in happiness.

"Ugh...thank you Sasuke." Sasuke said nothing but gave her a small smile. Who knew that a woman that he thought nothing of growing up would have held his heart so easily? Shinasui quickly fell asleep from Sasuke's comforting massage, the pain from walking on swollen feet soon was eased. Itachi sipped a cup of green tea, smiling with closed lips at his little brother.

"You're in love, aren't you Sasuke?" The younger Uchiha gave a distinct 'hn' sound.

"Do you think...she feels the same way?" Sasuke slowly asked, a bit uncomfortable talking about his feelings. Itachi grinned.

"Sasuke...would she be so happy baring your child if she didn't love you?" Sasuke looked down at the silver haired beauty who was nothing less than content. He couldn't fight the smile etching on his lips. She was beautiful, a slight flushed glow covered her porcelain features. 

"You're right Itachi. Then I'm glad I made this decision then."

"What decision?" Sasuke paused rubbing her feet and started to work up Shinasui's red ankles.

"I am going to ask her to marry me."

~~

"Ugh I am so hungry!" Shinasui complained as Sasuke walked her to her mother's home. Sasuke snorted.

"Didn't you eat a few hours ago with Itachi?" 

"Yeah but I'm eating for two! I gotta eat extra now." Sasuke sighed.

"Fair point."

"Luckily enough, Hinata is bringing some food. I like her cooking more than Dad's that's for sure. Although Grandpa does make really good dango. I'm sure Itachi will steal all of it considering that's his favorite." Sasuke didn't say anything but slowly reached towards Shinasui's hand. The silver haired beauty was startled and blushed heavily when Sasuke laced his fingers with hers.

"W-what are you doing...?" She asked shyly. Sasuke played it cool, as he always does.

"Making sure you don't trip again. I have to keep you safe." Shinasui's violet eyes peered up through thick lashes at the tall Uchiha, the man smirking down at her. Shina and Sasuke felt their hearts racing, both falling a little bit harder for the other.

"You are precious to me you know." Sasuke stated. Shinasui's cheeks dusted pink before she smiled. That was the closest thing Sasuke has ever said to 'I love you', and Shina was beginning to realize it. Maybe her feelings were reciprocated after all.

"You're precious to me too Sasuke. After all, you are the father of our child." Shinasui smiled at Sasuke which seemed to stop his heart. Her violet eyes and pearly smile knocked the wind out of his lungs, her sincerity making him feel loved. Sasuke wanted to spend the rest of his life with this woman. He had to stop himself right there and then from getting down on one knee.

The pair reached their destination,  all of their family and friends eagerly awaiting the pregnant woman and her baby daddy. Naruto was already slightly drunk and was heavily flirting with Hinata who just blushed. Jiraiya, Kakashi, Minako, and Sakumo were engaged in deep discussions about their past endeavors and adventures. Tsume was laughing at Kiba and Shisui who were having arm wrestling contests, the latter winning every time which only pissed Kiba off more. It was Itachi and his wife who acknowledged the young pair as they made their entrance.

"So you finally arrived." Itachi smirked. Yumi smiled wide and it reached her icy blue eyes.

"Everything's already taken care of. Just relax and have fun you two." The baby shower was fun for them in a way. Both of them really enjoyed their families getting together in celebration of the next addition to the Uchiha clan. However, they both really wanted time alone with each other.  Shinasui watched Sasuke smirk and laugh while talking to their friends and family...making her want to kiss him right there and then.  Sasuke felt the same way when watching Shinasui giggle with Shisui and argue playfully with Naruto. He needed time to go faster; he needed to know if she would be his wife.

Soon enough, the gender reveal came and Shinasui was shakily holding onto the ultrasound card. Sasuke eased his hands over hers, quelling her nerves.

"You ready?" Sasuke asked. Shinasui nodded. Everyone was watching them but while looking at each other, they felt like the only ones in the room.

"3..2..1.." They both opened the card, Sasuke letting out a gasp and tears welling in Shinasui's eyes.

"It's a boy!" Everyone cheered for the couple as they looked at each other with smiles, even the tall Uchiha grinning fully. He dreamed of re-establishing the Uchiha clan, and this beautiful woman made it possible. Shinasui was the very person that helped Sasuke accomplish his life long dream.

He's never been more in love. 

Sasuke gently cradled Shinasui's jaw with two hands, pulling their faces together until their soft lips met in the middle. The Hatake's violet eyes were wide, until she slowly closed them in happiness. She felt butterflies in her chest and rested a hand on her baby boy, the newest addition to the Uchiha clan. Months ago she cried in fear about being pregnant so young, now she felt blessed to have Sasuke and this new baby in her life. Minako blotted away her tears as she watched her daughter blossom before her eyes, turning to look at Kakashi who gave her a closed eye smile. Kakashi was...distant...with this whole ordeal, unsure how to feel about becoming a grandfather to his young daughter. However, when he saw how tenderly Sasuke looked at Shina and how gently he kissed her, he knew he didn't have anything to worry about. 

Kakashi was the first to greet Shinasui after her and Sasuke's lips parted, a faint blush on both of their cheeks. Shina turned to see Kakashi, the woman looking at her feet while her hands were on her rounded belly.

"Daddy I-" A tight embrace cut off Shinasui from speaking, her father hugging her close.

"I'm so happy for you Shina. I can't believe I'm going to have a grandson." Shina couldn't see Kakashi's face but knew that there was a tear sliding down his cheek. Shinasui finally felt whole again, her father's absence the last six months was completely draining. Asuma was right, daughters hold a special bond with their fathers. Sasuke received a tap on the forehead from Itachi and a hug from Yumi, the couple extremely excited to celebrate their nephew coming into this world. Despite all of the attention they received from their families and friends, there was only one person on their minds...each other.

~~

"Shinasui, do you have a moment?" The silver haired woman was busy organizing the gifts her and Sasuke had received for the new baby boy. Since no one knew the baby was a boy before the shower, all of the toys, clothes, stroller, and high chair were gender neutral. However, Gai sent in the craziest gift which Shina quickly laughed at: baby nunchuks. It was late and the girl was tired but she still found the energy to turn to Sasuke in their new shared home, and smiled at him. They decided that living together would be the best for the baby, even though they both had their own homes at the beginning of the pregnancy. They were going to be parents and had to work together for the sake of their son.

"Sure Sasuke." She put down the baby towel with a chibi Pakkun stitched in it and turned towards her baby Daddy. Sasuke was holding something behind his back, interesting the Hatake woman. 

"Well what's behind your back?" She asked. Sasuke smirked, bringing the white bag forward that he brought home earlier.

"I bought you something earlier. It is quite special. I'll give it to you as long as you give me the answer I'm looking for." Sasuke motioned for her to sit with him on the edge of their bed. Shinasui followed, unsure where this was leading. It was unlike him to buy gifts so Shina knew this had to be quite the special occasion. 

"Okay...so, what's your question?" Sasuke looked Shinasui in her violet eyes. There was something about her...there was always something about her that drew him to her. Whether it was her unusual amethyst eyes or her charming sense of humor, Sasuke had no issue with falling in love with her. He gripped the bag slightly tighter as nerves tangled up his stomach, something he hadn't really felt in awhile. 

"I'm not really one for words or anything romantic, so I'm going to stick to what's important to me. You're the mother of my child and you have made me a better person in our time together if you would even call it that. I wanted to do this for a while now and had this made specifically for you...I would like for you to bear the Uchiha name and crest...and become my wife." Sasuke took out of the bag a pitch black silk kimono top with the Uchiha clan symbol proudly, and elegantly sewn on the back. Shinasui's hands flew to her face as tears welled in her eyes. Sasuke was not traditional in any sense of the word, in fact this whole scenario was not traditional at all. So the fact he proposed by asking her to join a clan he dedicated his whole being to, meant that he truly and deeply loved her. 

"I would be honored to have your clan name Sasuke." Sasuke grinned wide, dazzling Shinasui. His smile was so rare, and yet she was able to see it in its rawest form. The Uchiha male stood up his bride to be and helped wrap the kimono top around her shoulders, the front completely open so the onyx silk draped her. It was absolutely beautiful, especially paired with her silver hair. The pride of the symbol felt so warm on her back, the young woman wrapping her arms around Sasuke's neck and pulling him in for a lengthy and gentle kiss. He loved her and she loved him...and without words, each knew that they were happy to have each other.

"I...love you." Sasuke said those words for the very first time in his life, completely meaning them.

The Uchiha clan once again grew, along with Sasuke and Shinasui's hearts.