Melodrama

Some things made Naruto skip and sing on his way home. A few made him cringe and drag his feet. Sakura belonged to the first group. Her cooking fell under the second.

When he cautiously poked his head through the door, the lack of toxic black smoke fooled Naruto into thinking it would be a good day. After all, he'd gotten up early, worked up a good sweat sparring with Lee, and it looked like Sakura had decided to make instant ramen instead of setting off the fire alarm with her cooking.

Grinning, Naruto kicked off his shoes and energetically swung his arms as he walked down the hallway. "Sakura-chan," he sang. "I'm home!"

Nothing. Well, he'd just have to surprise her.

Naruto muffled his footsteps as he neared the kitchen. He sniffed the air. Didn't smell like she'd made anything yet. He was ravenous though. Maybe he should cook breakfast instead. That would get him in the good books of both Sakura and his stomach.

Nodding to himself, Naruto stopped at the edge of the doorway. He flattened his back to the wall, listening to the faint rustling of Sakura's movement for a moment.

"Hi hon-"

Naruto's loud greeting cut off when he jumped out and almost collided with Sakura. Who was surprising who now? But that wasn't why the last of his cheer died before it reached his lips.

His eyes widened and his arms lowered to his side. "Sakura…? What's wrong?" He wasn't sure why he was whispering.

Maybe it was the sight of Sakura leaning against the door and holding her head with a pale frown. She didn't even seem to notice him until he gently lifted her chin. Her eyes flickered when they met his worried ones. Shaking her head, she took her hand off the door to reach for him. "Naruto-"

The sound of her thin voice was the last strike. Naruto snapped out of his hesitant daze – and jumped straight into panic.

With a sudden cry, he grabbed Sakura's hand and pulled her into the corridor. He crouched over her as his narrowed eyes darted to all the windows.

Sakura tried to push him off her. "Naruto, what are you-"

"Are you hurt?" he asked her urgently, his head snapping back to look at her. "Is this an ambush? I can't believe I didn't sense it when I came in. God, I'm such an idiot!"

She stared at him. She looked like she wanted to say something, but clenched her jaw shut and winced before any words could form. Naruto immediately stopped looking for assailants and even tossed his kunai aside as he lifted Sakura toward his chest. "Sakura-chan?" he breathed. "Sakura-chan?"

"Idiot… stop shaking me."

Naruto hastily obliged, but jostled her twice as much picking her up. "Oh no," he groaned. "Sakura, stay with me. I'll get you to the hospital, okay? Hold on for two seconds – no, one!"

Now Sakura's eyes widened like she hadn't been fully awake until now. They flew to the three-pronged kunai Naruto had pulled from his sleeve. Her mouth opened. Then she remembered to close it a fraction of a second before the walls began to spin like a whirlwind.

"Shizune-neechan!" Naruto was yelling before the howling winds even died. Sakura didn't dare open her eyes, let alone let go of the death grip she had on his shoulder. "Shizune! Quick! Sakura's hurt!"

"What? Hurt? How-"

"I don't know!" Naruto would be desperately ripping out his hair if he didn't have Sakura in his arms. "Save her? Please tell me you can save her."

"Calm down, Naruto. Put her down – careful…" But Sakura wouldn't let go of Naruto, her face buried in his chest.

Naruto looked helplessly at Shizune. "She's dying!" he blubbered. "What do I do? What good is Hokage if – agh!"

Because Sakura's fingers had curled and fisted around his arm with a familiar, tremendous strength. She slowly lifted her head off Naruto's shoulder. Her complexion was scarlet. "I am not," she hissed through gritted teeth, "dying."

While Naruto gawked speechlessly, Shizune stepped forward and laid her hand on Sakura's moist forehead. She tilted her head and looked at Sakura to confirm. The exasperated sigh told her everything.

"Naruto." He blinked and looked dumbly at her as the alarm ebbed away, leaving him in a daze. Shizune struggled to keep her face straight. "Sakura has morning sickness. It's perfectly normal at her stage."

For a long moment, Naruto just stared blankly at her. Then, gradually, his eyes grew to the size of oranges.

When nothing came out of his open mouth, Shizune glanced at Sakura, who looked equally wary. She hesitated. "You do know she's pregnant, right?" she asked slowly.

Naruto seemed to jump. Sakura's grip on his arm was really starting to hurt now. Gulping, he looked down at her. You can't be serious, her eyes said. She was almost begging him.

His gaze trailed down to rest on the slight bump at her belly, which he had stroked and cooed at only the night before. He swallowed dryly.

"I… forgot."

A/N: Been a while since the first drabble. Hope you guys enjoyed this one!