I had no idea where I was running. But it didn't matter, surely the ANBU knew it was a wild goose chase by now. Still, I would have liked to have found a village. The baby was due any day now. While I still held the lead, I was very sure it was a false one. The ANBU would want me to believe there was one, so that I would be surprised when they "caught up."

I suddenly felt a pain in my chest, but it was unrelated to the baby's movements. Pein. He knew now. What agonies he must be suffering, I thought with shame. I prayed that he wouldn't hate me for it. It had to be done, I had no other choice.

It must have been the stress of the journey and the realization of Pein's pain that started the labor. Or perhaps it was time, I will never know. The pain ripped through my body and I wet my clothes. I fell to my knees and clawed at the ground. I had never felt pain like this! And I never felt so alone and helpless. I didn't know what I thought having a baby would be like, but I wasn't expecting anything near this.

I could sense the ANBU closing in. Good, I thought. Hopefully they'll kill me before too long. Then the pain would end. And the baby was better off dead then in the hands of Konoha.

To my surprise, Sakura dropped down beside me.

"Haruno!" One of the ANBU scolded from above.

"I can't just sit by!" She snapped over her shoulder. "The baby is coming and she needs help."

She helped me lie on my back under the shade of a tree. I wasn't sure what she was doing, but I couldn't have been more grateful for her help. She gave me medicine to dull the pain, made me as comfortable as possible, and explained what happens during pregnancy. Was it that obvious it was my first time? I didn't fail to notice how despite her kindness, there was coldness in her eyes. She knew the truth. And yet she was willing to help, I knew it had to be because of the baby. But regardless of the reason, I was grateful for her.

The next several hours were painful, but not nearly as bad as they would have been without the medicine's help. I cried quite a bit, but more out of sorrow then of pain. Oh Pein. I wish you could be here. I need you!

Sakura then instructed me to push over and over again. I did my best, but I could feel my strength beginning to drain. But I couldn't give up, she assured me I was almost done. It seemed like several hours later when she said, "Its a boy!"

I collasped on my back, panting heavily. Sakura cleaned the baby up and I managed to sit up in time to see her holding him out to me. She had wrapped him in a blanket and despite her earlier coldness, she smiled genuinely at me. "He's so beautiful."

I held him in my arms. She was right, he was absolutely handsome. The sunlight was so bright, he had his eyes tightly closed. He snuggled against my chest. I was pleased to see that he had my hair color. I hoped very much that he had something of his father in him. At length he looked up at me, and I was thrilled to see he had his father's eyes! Of course he should, he would most likely inherit the Rinnegan. I hugged him close to me, oh my son! I love you!

The ANBU dropped down all around us. Their animal masks staring down. I knew it would come to this, and yet I worried so much about my son's future. I had always known what mine would be, but now that it came down to it, I didn't want it.

"Haruno, take the baby," one instructed coldly.

Sakura reluctantly approached me and I panicked. They couldn't take him away! They couldn't! I brought my free hand up in a handsign. Immediately my body started to divide into paper.

"Catch them all!" Another ANBU cried. "This is her traveling technique! Destroy them all!"

Sakura caught the baby before he fell and held him close. While the others scrambled around gathering all the papers, they failed to notice one that slipped into the baby's blanket. I melted into the skin on his side.

I will always be with you, my son. And one day, we'll be together again. All I would need to do is wait.

The End