Helllllllllooooooooooooooooo peeps! :P sorry I havnt updated for so long, I'll try to be faster. Meanwhile, keep reviewing!
Chapter Two:
"Shikamaru, we've found ourselves a secretary." Naruto grinned, "Ne-san, you've got a job."
Akira grinned brightly, hugging him as well as she could, "Thanks, Naruto."
Shikamaru cocked an eyebrow, "Are you sure you're not doing this to keep an eye on her?"
Naruto smiled nervously, "Hehe… maybe."
Akira rolled her eyes, "I swear, Naruto, you go really overboard. Hinata's gonna be really mad if you be like that with her."
"He's already taken away her kunoichi status on maternity leave and put her in the Academy." Shikamaru rolled his eyes, "Which reminds me, Naruto, you've got the twentieth invitation for a drink with the gang."
"Everyone?" Naruto asked.
Shikamaru nodded, "You can announce then."
"Perfect. Put it in. By the way, did Gaara send the message about the new village in the Land of Wind?"
"It's not a village yet, Naruto. It's still up to the Allied Shinobi Forces to decide whether to give them that rank or not. Which reminds me, the Kages have to meet up in the Land of Snow next week."
"Oh great." Naruto groaned, "Old geezers are going to drive me mad, I swear."
Akira punched his head, "Respect your superiors, baka!"
"Akira-ne-san, your punches are really floppy." Naruto grinned, dodging a second one, "Anyway. I'm going out for a walk, okay?"
"With or without your robes?"
"Without." Naruto replied.
Akira stared at him, puzzled, "What does that mean?"
"He dresses up as a normal nin, with a hood on his face, and goes around the village to check things out from the inside." Shikamaru explained, "It's too troublesome to explain why."
"What's troublesome is the load of paperwork that's stacked up for me. Ne-san, you'll organize it, right?"
Akira nodded.
Naruto made a hand sign and his clothes were replaced by a black hooded vest on normal shinobi attire.
"See ya guys." He flashed out, reappearing seconds later in front of the Konoha Orphanage. He went inside the backyard, where the orphans were playing.
He observed them for a while, smiling. They all looked happy, and they all were playing together, except…
One little dark-haired kid was standing in the corner, observing the others with a look of longing on his face.
Naruto walked up to him.
"Hey kiddo. What's your name?"
"Dai."
"Dai, huh? Well, Dai, why aren't you playing with all the other kids?"
Dai blushed, and just shook his head helplessly.
"Hey kids!" Naruto called, "How come you're not including Dai in your games?"
"He stole my toys." One of them replied, "Dai's a thief!"
Dai shook his head, "Only borrowed it!"
Naruto frowned and beckoned the other kid over, "What's your name?"
"Haru. Who're you?"
"Well, Haru, first thing you gotta learn is to be nice to strangers. Cuz otherwise, they might get angry, and if you ever need them, they won't help you."
"Hmph."
Naruto smiled at the Sasuke-ish attitude.
"The next thing… Dai, did you ask Haru before borrowing his toys?"
Dai shook his head.
"Well, it's not nice to take someone's things without asking them, right, Dai?" Naruto continued gently.
Dai nodded, and after being stared at meaningfully by Naruto, turned to Haru.
"'M sorry I borrowed your toys."
"Promise not to do it again?" Haru asked cautiously, "If you do, I'll tear your clothes."
"Uh-huh!" Naruto reprimanded, "You don't take revenge. If you tear Dai's clothes, he won't apologize and he'll steal even more of your toys, even hurt you maybe. Will that be good?"
"No."
"So if anyone hurts you, will you hurt them back?"
"No."
"Both of you?"
"Yes."
"Good. And Haru, if you share your things, then people probably won't steal them."
"How do you know so much?" An awed voice asked, the speaker approaching them from the swings.
Naruto laughed, smiling at the little dark-haired girl who had asked, "It comes with experience, kiddo."
Naruto ruffled their hair and then headed towards the building.
"You're a natural with kids, shinobi-san." The young woman standing at the door watching the children told him, "Do you have any of your own?"
Naruto smiled at the compliment and shook his head, not mentioning about Hinata's pregnancy in case she connected the rumors and spread the gossip before he told his own friends. Ino and Tenten would really kill him if that happened.
"I suck with babies. I think the only baby I've ever actually held is Kurenai-sensei's kid. I have absolutely no idea what to expect from them." He explained.
"Oh. So are you married?"
He nodded, a small loving smile appearing as it did whenever he thought of his beautiful wife.
"That's good. Do you want me to show you around?"
Naruto glanced at her, puzzled.
"We get a lot of shinobi nowadays, demanding to see if all the kids at the orphanage are treated badly. Especially famous ones like Shikamaru-sama and Shino-sama. I have no idea why they'd think we would treat a child badly."
Naruto flinched, knowing that he was the reason his friends spied at the orphanages.
"So? Would you like to go in?"
"Yeah, sure."
Naruto frowned as he spotted a young seven to eight year old kid brushing against an old woman in a deliberate way he recognized immediately. The woman didn't notice and continued with her shopping, but Naruto appeared behind the kid and grabbed his shoulder.
"What!? Lemme go!" The kid whispered fiercely, turning around, "Who're you?"
Naruto snatched the wallet and put it back inside the old woman's purse, and then pulled the boy aside, getting a good look at him.
He was awfully skinny, and looked tiny. His raven hair and deep green eyes clashed with his pale skin, making him look sick. He was dirty and muddy and dressed in rags, his hair shaggy, uncut and unkempt.
"Why were you stealing?" Naruto asked sternly.
"How else do ya expect me to survive?" The kid backhanded rudely, "Not everybody's got everythin' handed down to them on a plate."
"I had nothing handed down to me on a plate." Naruto replied.
Then, clamping a hand firmly on the child's shoulder, he teleported.
The kid leapt away from him, cursing; as soon as they arrived in one of the guest bedrooms in his house (The boy didn't know this of course).
"Where am I? Where'd you bring me?"
Naruto didn't answer, but instead made two clones, which nodded and disappeared out of the window. The real Naruto pointed to the bathroom.
"Go wash." He instructed, "You can use everything that's there. If you try to escape, I'll take you straight to the ANBU."
The kid shrugged, not keen on passing up an opportunity to wash up. Besides, from what the room said, the guy was rich, and his bathroom would be luxurious.
Naruto, meanwhile, sat down on the bed.
"What's your name?" He called loudly when he heard the shower running.
"Osamu." The kid yelled back, "B'fore ya ask, no family, no nothing. I'm a worthless orphan."
"Just because you're an orphan doesn't mean you're worthless. Nobody's worthless." Naruto replied automatically, "How old are you?"
"Ten."
"Ten!" Naruto laughed, "You're even smaller than I was when I was your age, kid."
"I'm not small, ya hear!?"
"Why did you run from the orphanage?"
"What's that?"
"You don't know what the orphanage is?" Naruto's jaw dropped.
"Neva heard of it."
Osamu must have sensed Naruto's incredulousness, because he called back, "I moved to Konoha just a few days ago. Been living in a 'bandoned place few miles away."
"All alone?"
"Kia wen' off in the night when the food finished."
Naruto frowned. The casual tone did not bid well.
"And you don't care?"
"She was a bitch." There was something dark in Osamu's tone, "Hope she rots in hell."
Naruto didn't ask what she had done.
Both clones returned, one with food (healthy and nutrient-filled; not ramen, the kid needed nutrients), and the other with plain, civilian clothes Osamu's size.
"You done?" Naruto asked, entering the bathroom and hanging the clothes on the hook on the wall.
"Just about." Osamu called back from behind the shower curtain, "Why?"
"I've hung some clothes."
Then Naruto went back outside and waited. Soon enough, a few minutes later Osamu came out, dressed in the dark brown pants and buttoning a light blue shirt.
He looked better when he was clean, Naruto decided.
"What's that?" Osamu's eyes lightened up at the stack of food that awaited him.
Naruto sat down cross-legged on the floor and gestured, "Dig in."
Osamu leapt at it, and then paused, sniffing it suspiciously, "It's not poisoned, is it?"
"'Course not." Naruto smiled at the kid reassuringly, "I don't go around poisoning little kids."
"Not even if ya caught 'em stealin'?" Osamu asked around a mouthful of food.
Naruto laughed, "No, not even if I catch them stealing."
Osamu ate like he'd never eaten before, and it was only when the food was finished that he settled back with a sigh and a loud burp.
Naruto stood up, gesturing for him to do the same, and grabbed his shoulder, teleporting without warning again.
"Stop doing that!" Osamu yelled, "Where—"
"The barber. You're getting your hair cut so you look more human." Naruto's tone left no space for arguments.
Fifteen minutes later, they went back to the guest bedroom, with Osamu's hair cut shorter and neater.
"Now." Naruto faced Osamu, sitting down on the ground, "You have two options, Osamu. Either you can go to the orphanage, which, by the way, is a home for kids without parents or anyone to take care of them until someone takes them in, or you can live in an apartment and attend the Academy to become a shinobi like me."
"I…"
Naruto smiled gently, "You can stay here for now. You look pretty tired, get some rest."
Osamu nodded, "What're ya writing?"
"A note." Naruto replied shortly, "Rest up. I need to go."
"Hey, listen… Arigatou." Osamu said softly, sincerity obvious in his voice.
Naruto just smiled.
Hinata came home late after a long outing with Hanabi immediately after the Academy. Even so, she did not expect her husband to be home and he did not disappoint her. There was a note waiting for her in the bedroom, though.
Hey koibito. There's a guest of mine staying in the bedroom two doors down. Shouldn't wake up for a while, he was exhausted. I'll explain once I get home, and I'll get off early today. Leave a few clones and all. See ya then. N.
Hinata smiled and put the note down. It burnt down into ashes immediately. Naruto was now used to using his specially sealed paper for notes.
She stretched before taking out a kimono from her closet. They needed to get their friends gathered soon, to make the announcement. The sensei could be told separately later.
Humming quietly, she entered the bathroom and drew the bath, choosing her favorite scents. She felt so tired…
A few minutes later, she sighed blissfully and sunk deep inside the steamed water. A hand rubbed at her gradually rounding belly absently, a gentle smile on her face. They had so much to do. Make a nursery, shopping, telling everybody, choosing names, choosing the godparents. The only people they had told yet were their respective families and that too under the vow of secrecy.
Hinata loved children. She had loved taking care of Hanabi when they were younger, and she loved playing with them when she grew up. It was why she never complained about the D-rank babysitting missions. Kids loved her too. There was something about her, probably her gentle and kind nature, that attracted them.
That brought up a frown. Most people thought Naruto was an endless bundle of confidence, but she knew that he was often self-conscious and lacked confidence when it came to particular matters, only he hid it well. After the war, she had taken him to see Kurenai-sensei and her son, and she had glimpsed the uncertain, self-doubting part of Naruto then. He had been so nervous, so convinced that he was going to drop the little baby. Later on he had confided to her that he had never in his life really held a baby. Babies, children in general in fact, were kept away from him when he was younger. Expecting women and mothers tended to avoid him like the plague, thinking he would influence their offspring.
A scowl marred the young woman's otherwise pretty features. She hated thinking about those times, when she was too weak to go and befriend the boy everyone hated.
And she knew Naruto would be nervous now. He would be nervous and uncertain around her, because he wouldn't know what to expect from her.
'No. That won't happen unless I let it, and I'm not going to let Naruto-kun feel like that just because of his bad past.'
Naruto stretched widely as he walked down the street to his home, nodding and smiling at the people he passed. He had opted to walk home in order to keep an eye on what was going on inside his village, even if he couldn't really dig that deeply. At least, he couldn't dig that deeply himself. He did have his sources for other diggings.
"Naruto-nii-san!"
Naruto smiled, "Oh, hey Konohamaru."
Konohamaru grinned up at his idol, "How ya doin? How's the team?"
"They're good, just returned from a mission as a matter of fact."
"How's Hinata-san?"
Naruto smiled widely, "She's fine. Oh, by the way, come over for dinner to ours' tomorrow. Everyone's invited."
"Everyone?" Konohamaru cocked an eyebrow.
"You know, Shikamaru, Temari, Choji, Ino and all. Hanabi might be over too. Hanako, Katashi and Fumio are definitely coming, and since Katashi couldn't find a babysitter for Fumiko, she'll be coming too."
"Big crowd." Konohamaru whistled, a gleam in his eye.
"Big party." Naruto smiled, "Got a little announcement to make."
"An announcement?" Konohamaru repeated, "Really? What is it?"
Naruto shrugged evasively, eyes twinkling, "Sorry. Hina would skin me if I told."
"As if." Konohamaru scoffed, "Come on, nii-san."
Naruto just smiled and disappeared in a flash, leaving his surrogate brother cursing.
Hinata was still in her dressing-gown, having decided to sort out Naruto's messy closet first. She was putting away a torn blue shirt when she felt a pair of strong, lean arms lift her up bridal-style.
Squealing happily, she wrapped her arms around Naruto's neck and leaned forward for a long, lingering kiss.
Pulling away momentarily, she accused, "You were supposed to be early."
Naruto nodded an apologetic look on his face, "Sorry. Got caught up on reading something."
A look of confusion came on Hinata's face, so he smiled and elaborated, "Been reading up on babies and what to expect from you. Don't want to be caught off-guard."
Hinata beamed at him, amazed at how much he had matured. Naruto leaned and gave her another kiss.
"That make up for it?"
She thought for a minute, "Nope. I was stuck cleaning your messy closet, Naru-kun."
Naruto pouted, "Hina-chan."
She just giggled, so he nuzzled her cheek and kissed her again. He kissed down her neck and nuzzled her shoulder, making her give in.
Moaning, Hinata arched her neck, giving him better access. Smirking, Naruto stopped immediately.
"Naru-kun." Hinata whined.
"Nope. Say it." Naruto demanded, smirking at her.
"Fine! I, Namikaze Hinata, cannot remain angry at my husband for more than five minutes."
Grinning, Naruto kissed her on the mouth this time. Still kissing, he put her down on the bed and got on top of her, making sure to put his weight on his hands…
Hinata collapsed on top of him, breathing heavily. Naruto smiled and put both hands on her belly, rubbing gently.
"Sakura-san said we can find out if it's a boy or a girl pretty soon." Hinata said a while later.
Naruto smiled, "You don't want to keep it a surprise?"
She nodded, "I wanted to, but…"
He just laughed, "Couldn't help yourself?"
Hinata smiled sheepishly.
"I've invited everyone tomorrow. Konohamaru, the team, the gang and all. Do you think I should invite the sensei too?"
"Well, they are the only ones left. Dinner?"
"But don't you dare exert yourself!"
Hinata groaned, "Naru-kun, I'll be fine."
"I don't care. You're not making dinner for so many people. Not on my watch." His stomach grumbled.
"We haven't had dinner." Hinata groaned softly, "I don't want to get up…"
Naruto kissed her hair lovingly, "I could go get something in a few minutes. You don't have to cook, hime."
"Arigatou." Hinata smiled, but then frowned, "You'll have to get up."
Naruto shook his head and made his favorite handseals. A clone appeared near the bed and rushed downstairs.
They lay there like that for a while.
Hinata finally broke the comfortable silence, "So who's your guest, Naru-kun?"
Naruto explained the whole issue.
Hinata hugged him gently, "You're so kind, Naruto-kun. I don't think there's anyone kinder than you."
Naruto smiled, blushing slightly at the praise. They lay there cozily until the memories of a dispelled clone came back to him. With a groan, Naruto sat up.
"C'mon, koibito." He kissed the side of her head.
Hinata sighed, but slipped on her nightdress and dressing gown. She did up her hair and went downstairs to the kitchen while Naruto fetched his guest.
The table was set, and there was even a vase filled with purple flowers. Naruto-kun had gotten rice balls, soup, sukiyaki, another healthy dish, and dumplings and onigiri.
She touched the flowers in the vase with a smile on her face, turning around when she heard footsteps.
Naruto entered with Osamu, who froze visibly when he saw Hinata.
"Relax." Naruto assured him, clamping a hand over his shoulder and squeezing lightly, "This is my wife, Hinata. Hinata-chan, Osamu."
Hinata smiled at the young boy, "It's very nice to meet you, Osamu-kun."
Osamu just nodded.
They sat down and Naruto grinned widely.
"Itadakimasu!" He said heartily and dug in.
