Supreme Genetics – Creation of a New Bloodline

Chapter 3

"Sakura-san!" Hinata stammered in surprise.

Sakura didn't even register the young Hyuga heiress, as her eyes were glued on Hinata's half-naked form as she came walking out of Naruto's room. The open lavender shirt she was wearing was barely covering her well endowed chest, while her long silken blue hair hung wet against her back. All of this was complimented by a pair of pink panties and Hinata's madly blushing face.

"Hey Hinata-chan," Naruto said with an air of absolute bliss, which interrupted the awkward tension and silence that had gripped Sakura and Hinata.

"How was the shower?"

"N-Naruto-kun?" Hinata softly questioned, but stopped as she heard Sakura sniffle.

"Naruto….you bastard!" Sakura screamed in hurtful anger, as tears spilled out of her eyes.

Before she knew what she was doing, her right hand lashed out and resoundingly slapped Naruto leaving behind a reddening hand print on the surprised young man's face. When Naruto turned his head back to Sakura, as the pink hand-print was already fading away only to see she was gone from his door step and his hand went up to his face where Sakura had slapped him.

"Naruto-kun!" Hinata called out both in shock and concern at the sudden development, as she herself expected Sakura to punch Naruto across the room. She was by his side immediately and carefully placed a hand on his arm.

"Are you alright?"

"Y-yeah I am fine." Naruto replied in frustration.

Hinata blinked and looked at the open door where Sakura had just stood and Hinata had to admit that she was quite puzzled and asked.

"What was that about?"

"It was nothing, just forget about it." Naruto answered in a somber voice before turning away from his bewildered wife and walked away.

"N-Naruto-kun?" Hinata called after him as she helplessly watched him solemnly walk back into the kitchen and resumed making breakfast for them.

Confused, Hinata stood in Naruto's living room quite lost. She closed the door to Naruto's apartment and not knowing how to react to Naruto's sudden change in mood. Hinata walked into his bedroom and got dressed silently wondering what was going on? It was then she heard Naruto call out that breakfast was ready. As the newly married couple ate the unspoken subject of Sakura seemed to linger in the air before Hinata finally broke the awkward silence and said.

"Naruto-kun, I know what just happened with Sakura is not something I can just forget about it. I'm your wife and I love you, but I don't want our marriage to be one of keeping secrets from each other. Please tell me what is going on, don't I deserve to know?"

Naruto placed his fork on the plate in front of him and heaved a heavy sigh. Hinata was correct she did deserve to know, as the Sakura situation would impact her life as well as his own in the future.

"I'm sorry Hinata-chan, you do deserve to know. Your father already told you that you were to be one of two wives that the Hokage and the Council ordered me to take under the Clan Restoration Act correct?"

"Hai, he informed me of that."

"Well, what he didn't tell you is that Sakura was the Hokage and the Council's other choice and is also my wife." Naruto stated with bitterness etched in his voice.

Hinata's eyes flared in surprise before resuming their normal state as she thought to herself.

'Sakura is Naruto-kun's other wife, I should have guessed that from the start. This will take some getting used to as Sakura and I have never exactly been friends, just casual acquaintances more than anything. I guess Sakura and I will have to change that. It won't be easy, but for Naruto-kun's sake we have to make it work. What I don't understand is why Naruto-kun isn't happy that Sakura is his wife? He's been in love with her since our days at the academy, now there seems to be an air of animosity between the two of them. I need to find out what happened between those two.'

It was then that Hinata suddenly remembered something Naruto had said in his angry rant in the Hokage's office the day before admonishing her for pretending to care about marrying him.

"Don't stand there and lie to yourself and me about being happy and honored to become my wife. When we both know you're probably as disgusted with the thought as Sakura is!"

Hinata looked across the table at her husband of less than a day and hesitantly asked.

"Nar, Naruto-kun I know you've been in love with Sakura for a long time, but now I sense a feeling of resentment coming from you towards her. I've asked this before, but did something happen between the two of you at the Council meeting?"

"I thought I loved her, but now I've come to realize that I don't know what love is? I never knew what love feels like because I never had it growing up. So I'm not sure what I felt for Sakura was ever true love or just something I was telling myself. I did consider Sakura one of my most precious people. And the thought of her being unhappy or hurt in anyway made me feel awful inside. But after what happened in the Council session, I'm not sure how I feel about her anymore?"

"What did happen in the Council session?"

"I don't really want to talk about it. Let's just say that when Sakura was informed that she was to become my wife she wasn't as...enthused or happy about it as you were. In fact she let her displeasure of the situation be known in typical Sakura-like fashion through her fists and her mouth. I know she was upset and the physical punishment I can take from her, I have for years. But when she stated how she truly felt about marrying me, it was an eye-opener about our relationship."

"What did she say?"

"I'm, I'm sorry Hinata-chan, but I really don't want to talk about this anymore." Naruto sternly replied, before he quickly wiped away a tear from his eye, as the memory of that Council session and what Sakura had said flooded his mind.

"But we need to talk about this if Sakura is to be part of our lives and our marriage."

"No!" Naruto angrily snapped causing Hinata to jump in surprise. Seeing this, the blonde-haired young man quickly calmed down and added.

"I'm sorry; I didn't mean to snap at you like that. But Sakura isn't going to be a part of our lives or our marriage. As far as I'm concerned she's my wife in name only and once I fulfill certain requirements with Baa-chan's help concerning my marriage to Sakura, we both will live separate lives from one another. And believe me when I say that's just the way she wants it."

'I don't think that's the case Naruto-kun, not judging by the look I saw on her face.' Hinata thought to herself before she then heard Naruto ask.

"Do you want me to help you with getting some of your stuff and moving it back here to my place today?"

"Thank you Naruto-kun, but no I'll be alright. I'm just bringing over a few things; any of the major stuff can wait until we find a bigger place to move into."

"Yeah, Kakashi-sensei, I mean Hokage-sama mentioned that he wanted to talk to me about my current living arrangements. I'll go see him today and find out what it is he wanted to say on the matter. I'll see you later."

Naruto then wrapped up his new wife in a loving embrace and kissed her. Hinata arched her back slightly before wrapping her arms around his neck. Their lips moved together and both of them let out a small moan as their tongues brushed over each other's. Naruto's hands slipped up the back of Hinata's shirt, as his finger tips gently glided over her back. Hinata closed her eyes as her own hands began roaming around Naruto's chest, neck, and back. When she felt one of Naruto's hands slipped down to grab her ass, Hinata reluctantly broke off the kiss and said while panting.

"Not (pant, pant) now Naru-kun. You have to see the Hokage and I have to see my father and my family today."

"I don't really need to see the Hokage right now and can't you see your father another time, because I wouldn't mind an encore of last night's performance Hina-chan." Naruto whispered huskily while nibbling on the former Hyuga heiress ear causing the girl to moan before saying.

"Ohhhhhhhh Naru-kun, that feels so good, but as I recall, we've already had several encores of last night's performance and I really do need to see my father."

"Grrrrrrr, alright my hime, go see your family while I go talk to the Hokage. I'll catch up with you later and we can get some lunch." Naruto growled in disappointment, before releasing his new wife and placing a chaste kiss on her cheek.

"Hai, that sounds wonderful." Hinata replied with a smile before they left the apartment and went their separate ways.


On the way back to the Hyuga residence, Hinata's mind drifted back to the incident with Sakura and Naruto she had witnessed. She needed to find out exactly what had happened in that Council session between Naruto and Sakura. The young Hyuga girl knew there was only one way she could find out and with purpose walked straight into her father's study.

"Hinata!" her father exclaimed in surprise, as she had never before in her entire life entered his private sanctum, which was his study unannounced.

"Otousan, I need to know what exactly happened between Naruto-kun and Sakura-san at the Council meeting two days ago and I need to know now!"

Cocking an eyebrow the Hyuga clan leader was taken aback by the demanding tone to the question his eldest daughter had just posed. Worried that something had happened between Hinata and Naruto that put her in such a state Hiashi Hyuga asked.

"Hinata I want to know, is everything alright between you and Naruto? Did something happen I should be made aware of?"

"No!" Hinata quickly replied.

"Hinata." Hiashi spoke her name with a hint of hurtful pride.

"I am your father, you can entrust anything to me. Did he, did Naruto try to do something to you that you weren't ready for yet?"

"I was ready for it Otousan!" Hinata declared excitedly, before her eyes flew open in horror, as the realization hit her that she had just said that out loud. The Hyuga girl's hands flew to her now crimson face to cover up her mouth as if this action would somehow undo what she had uttered.

For his part, Hiashi remained calm upon hearing his daughter's enthusiastic reply, as he closed his eyes and thought to himself.

'Stay calm Hiashi, she at least waited until she was married. I can't really get angry with her about it seeing as I and Harumi (Hinata's mother) barely made it out of the temple after the ceremony to consummate our marriage. I guess what they say is true, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.'

Hiashi rose from his seat and walked over to his mortified and embarrassed daughter, before putting a reassuring hand on her shoulder and asked.

"Well, if it isn't…..that, then what is troubling you my child?" Hinata was caught off-guard by her father's sudden show of affection, but welcomed it nonetheless and stated with assurance.

"Father I swear everything is fine between me and Naruto-kun."

"Then perhaps it has something to do about your new responsibilities? I wish I could tell you how life as a matriarch is going to be for you, but in all of Konoha's history the Clan Restoration Act has never been enacted before. I can only hope that the training you have received within our family will help you rule the Namikaze clan with your husband."

"It's not that either, what troubles me is the current relationship between my husband and the other matriarch of the Namikaze clan Sakura-san. I witnessed an unpleasant exchange between the two of them this morning and I wish to understand what has happened. That's the reason I need to know what went on at that Council meeting."

Hiashi smiled warmly at his oldest daughter before adding with sincerity and conviction.

"Remember, you will always be a Hyuga and you will always have a family here and I know it will be awkward for you at first not to live here, but with your new husband. But I think it would be best if you devote some time to get to know your former classmate and fellow matriarch. Hinata, you and Sakura-san are the future of the Namikaze clan and believe me when I tell you that you need to understand each other beyond doubt, in order to lay a solid foundation that will hold the Namikaze clan upright and make it prosper. A man is only as strong as the woman or in this case the women that lead him from behind the shadows."

"Father, are you trying to tell me not to make the same mistakes that have overshadowed the Hyuga clan ever since its conception?"

"Yes my dear. You and Sakura-san are the foundation of the Namikaze clan, as you both will be called upon to support Naruto in ways only the two of you can. In order to do so, you need to share each others' memories, moments, and experiences. You specifically Hinata have the duty of preparing Sakura for the life and hardship of being a Clan matriarch. You need to teach her the etiquette required and you need to prepare her for the political intrigues that are bound to attack your new family. And as you teach her, she needs to teach you about things that you lack my dear."

"And what would that be?" Hinata asked in confusion believing she was taught everything that she needed to know about becoming a Clan Head.

"Sakura-san needs to teach you about Naruto of course." Hiashi replied as if it was obvious before adding.

"She has been his teammate for many years and knows him better than anyone else. She knows how he ticks, how he will respond to certain pressures that he will be subjugated to, and she will most likely know his weaknesses. She was also the apprentice of the Godaime Hokage and even though she appears to be a bit blunt in certain situations, she is a very smart young woman. Do not underestimate her, I am positive she will not underestimate you either and more importantly, treat each other with the respect you both deserve. Between Naruto, Sakura, and yourself Hinata, the three of you have to become one mind and one voice or the Namikaze clan is doomed from the start. I have faith in your abilities and I know that you will be the glue that will keep everything from falling apart. Both Naruto and Sakura are well known for their temper and they've already started off on the wrong foot, so my daughter, you will have a difficult job ahead of you dealing with those two. But I have faith in your abilities and you will do just fine; after all, you are your mother's daughter."

"O-Otousan!" Hinata cried and embraced her father.

"Thank you so much, you have no idea how much this means to me."

"I know you will make me proud my daughter." Hiashi said as he closed the embrace.

"Just as I know that your sister will excel in becoming my successor. Now, I think it is time that you find Sakura-san and get acquainted with each other and plan the future for your new clan."

"Hai." Hinata replied and slowly slipped out of her father's comforting embrace. She smiled weakly and wiped a joyful tear out of her face before quickly turning and walking away. She stopped several steps later and turned around to look at her father once more.

"Father I still would like to know what happened between Sakura and Naruto during the Council meeting two days ago?"

Hiashi's face darkened slightly and he grimaced upon hearing his daughter's question, as Hinata held her breath and anxiously awaited his answer.

"Things were said that shouldn't have been. Even though the words that were exchanged between Naruto and Sakura were to some degree truthful, I strongly believe the conflict between them isn't solely about their betrothal, but other issues between them that have been brewing for many years."

"Thank you father, but I still want to know exactly what was said?"

"Hinata, as the matriarch of a clan you do have access to view the minutes from the Council meeting. It shall explain everything, but remember what you were taught. There is always more to what people say, read between the lines and I am positive that you will uncover the truth."

"Arigato." Hinata replied before bowing in respect and quickly vanished from her fathers study.

"You two may come in now." Hiashi spoke after several seconds of silence.

"Gomen Otousan." Hanabi spoke apologetically as she and Neji stepped in from behind a side room that adjoined the study.

Hiashi dismissed the two with a wave of his hand and nodded.

"It is quite alright. Do you have any questions about what I have told your sister?"

"No father." Hanabi replied.

"Excellent Hanabi." Hiashi said approvingly and looked at his nephew.

"And how about you Neji?"

"Lord Hyuga." Neji responded with a courteous nod of his head.

"Do you wish of me to continue shadow Lady Hinata?"

"No my boy, It is time Hinata learns to walk on her own feet without having a safety net ready to catch her if she falls. Besides, that job now belongs to young Namikaze. However, after seeing this brash new attitude in Hinata, I fear she may not remember what I just told her after she views the minutes of that Council session."

Hiashi heaved a heavy sigh at this possibility before ordering his nephew.

"So, I think it would be prudent Neji-san if you found Lady Tsunade and explained the entire situation to her. Perhaps hearing what I've said coming from a woman my daughter respects will take hold more so than from her own father. At the very least it should quell Hinata's rage I fear she will develop upon reading exactly what the Haruno girl said about and did to her husband."

"As you wish Lord Hyuga."

"After you've completed your task Neji-san, return to the compound and join Hanabi and I for some tea. I want to discuss with you the new preparations for the future of our clan that we need to enact. I think it is time that we abolish the Branch family and become one united clan, as it should have been a long time ago."


Listlessly, Sakura entered the hospital as her feet had unconsciously carried her there. With unfocused eyes as if she were catatonic, she stood lethargically in the reception hall and was oblivious to the questioning stares she was receiving from the few nurses that were currently occupying the room. Without her own volition, Sakura turned towards the stairway and slowly as if in a trance, walked upstairs.

She came to a stop in front of Tsunade's office and as she knocked, Sakura's lifeless eyes finally returned with some light. Without waiting for a response, Sakura twisted the door handle and entered her mentor's office. She found the room dark and empty and quickly closed the door behind her as she stepped inside. Sakura leaned against one of the many file cabinets and slowly slid down to the ground as she hugged her knees and began to cry earnestly.

As she sat huddled in Tsunade's dark office her mind replayed this morning's incident at Naruto's apartment, only to be followed by the memory of the Council meeting that seemingly had shattered her bond with Naruto forever. And as Sakura was continuously subjugated to the cruelty of her memories of how she has treated Naruto and the heart-wrenching feelings about Naruto's betrayal of her with Hinata, she failed to notice the chakra presence outside the door.

"Sakura!" Tsunade's surprised voice echoed through the room, as the light suddenly turned on.

"What are you doing here?"

"S-Shisho.," Sakura sniffed. "I've been such a fool… I've lost him, I've really lost him."

Tsunade frowned and quickly closed the door and joined Sakura on the floor besides her former student.

"Sakura what are you talking about? Who did you lose? What happened?"

"Naruto." Sakura sobbed.

"I- I thought I could talk to him, explain to him everything but…" Sakura didn't finish as she broke out in loud crying.

"But what?" Tsunade inquired and placed a reassuring hand on Sakura's shoulder. The former Hokage was suddenly overwhelmed as Sakura pushed herself into Tsunade's arms.

"I'm sure everything will be alright." Tsunade said to the crying young kunoichi and tried to comfort her.

"Why don't you tell me what happened? Did you go see Naruto this morning?"

"Yes." Sakura sobbed, only to cry again as she remembered seeing Hinata scantily dressed and walking out of Naruto's bedroom.

"What's wrong, did something happen with Naruto?" Tsunade asked again and wondered what Naruto could have done to make her apprentice this upset.

"H-Hinata." Sakura finally stammered in between her sobs.

"Hinata?" Tsunade repeated in confusion.

"What does Hinata have to do with this?"

"S-she was at Naruto's this morning; s-she came out of his bedroom. S-she was wearing one of his shirts and, and…" Sakura stammered and Tsunade finally connected the dots. "

'They couldn't have already!' Tsunade thought.

'Not even an entire day married and they already sealed their union? No, Naruto would never, but then again they did wait two years longer than I did with Jiraiya-kun and we weren't even married.' Tsunade continued her inner monologue.

"Why would he?" Sakura stammered.

"How could he? I'm his wife, how can he just cheat on me? Is his hate for me so strong that he would completely change or… or was he always like that and I just never saw it before?"

Tsunade frowned and thought.

'Wait she doesn't know yet that Naruto is also married to Hinata as well? Then that means…'

"Why Shishou?" Sakura questioned and pulled Tsunade out of her thoughts.

"Why would he be so cruel? Did I really push him over the edge with what I said in the Council session and now he hates me?"

"Naruto doesn't hate you Sakura." Tsunade answered and looked at the broken girl in her arms.

"He is just very upset with you at the moment and also probably very confused. You have to understand that he was called a monster and demon all his life, yet hearing it come from the girl he's loved his entire life wounded him terribly."

"I can understand that." Sakura replied with remorse before adding.

"And I know I need to apologize and explain myself to him. I don't hate him, I don't… don't think he is a monster and I love him, I truly love him. I don't know why I said those things, but does it give him the right to just go sleep with the next best thing that comes around? Aren't I supposed to raise a clan with him? Isn't there supposed to be trust between us?"

"Sakura." Tsunade spoke up softly.

"Naruto is, well he is hurting greatly I imagine. The one person he trusted with his life and loved beyond reason suddenly betrayed him in the worst possible way. Yes, you need to talk to him and you need to talk to him soon and explain to him everything. And you Sakura, you need to learn to stop belittling and abusing Naruto, he is your husband now. You have to support him in everything. Your first duty is no longer to Konohagakure, the hospital, or even yourself. Naruto has now become the center of your attention and you will have to learn, grow, and adapt to Naruto in order to lead a happy and long life. Sakura, I don't know if you are aware of this but you are now a matriarch of the Namikaze Clan. A very difficult life is ahead of you, but it can be tremendously rewarding. But for that to happen you need to change and sway Naruto with your words and sometimes body and no longer with your fists."

"S-Shishou I don't think." Sakura started but was quickly silenced.

"Sakura, you obviously came here to get advice from me," Tsunade interrupted her apprentice before continuing on.

"So I strongly suggest you take it or you will lose him. Don't be a thick-headed stubborn fool like I was and go talk to him." Tsunade sternly commanded while a tear-drop welled in her eye, as an image of Jiraiya flashed through her mind.

"Hai Shishou." Sakura spoke up weakly with her head held down.

"Now go clean yourself, you look terrible," Tsunade said and helped her student to her feet before dropping a mini-bombshell on her former apprentice.

"And Sakura, you are not Naruto's only wife."

"W-What?" Sakura asked in confusion.

"There was a stipulation made by the Raikage, that if we were to deny him his betrothal to you." Tsunade answered and smiled weakly and held up a hand to silence Sakura.

"Before you ask, I didn't know about this either. Kakashi kept that point to himself and only shared it with the Council after you and Naruto had signed the marriage contract."

"So what happened?" Sakura asked with a bit of hurt as she realized she wasn't going to be Naruto's only wife.

"Who else did Naruto have to marry?"

"It was Hinata." Tsunade replied with a sigh deciding it was for the best to get it all out in the open and pressed on

"In case Konoha would refuse to hand you over to the Raikage, he demanded Hinata be the girl in your stead. Of course we couldn't allow that to happen so it was decided by the Hokage and the Council to re-enact the Clan Restoration Act for Naruto's clan and marry Hinata to him as well."

"So that means." Sakura asked in semi-confusion and hurt.

"Yes, you and Hinata are Naruto's wives." Tsunade replied.

"I am sorry Sakura. I'm sorry about the bloodline test and not telling you, and I'm sorry that you couldn't find your own knight in shining armor, although I think if you would open your eyes you would see that Naruto is your knight in shining armor."

"But how is this going to work with me and Hinata being his wives? What about giving Naruto sons and daughters? And how is the clan structure going to be? Kami, I have so many questions and no answers!" Sakura fretted nervously, before she asked herself the most important question.

"C-can I even be a good wife to Naruto?"

"Sakura calm down." Tsunade said.

"You are actually lucky that you have Hinata as your co-matriarch. She will have many answers to your questions and in order to find some answers, you have to find them with the help of Naruto and Hinata. That is why you need to talk to Naruto soon."

"Hai!"

"Now go," Tsunade nudged her in the direction of her office door.

"Go clean up and find Naruto. Actually, perhaps you should go talk to Hinata first, as she might be able to help you in reconciling with Naruto. I have faith in you Sakura. You will know what to do when the time is right."

"Thank you Shishou." Sakura said and quickly left through the door to go home and freshen up.

Exhaling a heavy sigh as Tsunade watched her former protégé leave, she opened her desk drawer and pulled out a bottle of sake with a cup and set them down on her desk. Pouring herself a drink and downing it quickly, her thoughts turned to Naruto and Sakura's relationship and Tsunade shook her head in frustration. Just as the buxom blonde former Hokage was about to down another drink someone knocked on her door

"Enter!" Tsunade growled out with annoyance, as she put the bottle of sake away before looking up to see Neji Hyuga standing before her.

"What is it you need Neji-san?"

"I'm here Lady Tsunade per Lord Hiashi Hyuga's orders to apprise you of a potential situation that may develop between Lady Hinata and Haruno-san."

Tsunade could only slump into her chair and pinch the bridge of her nose in aggravation, as she had a feeling she was not going to like what she was about to hear.

"Tell me everything Neji-san."


As Hinata stormed out of the Council Hall building and onto the street, the killing intent she was producing was massive. Having completely forgotten everything her father had said after reading the minutes of the Council meeting two days prior. Hinata activated her Byakugan and began scanning the village for a certain pink-haired girl. Thus it was a shock to the Hyuga girl when Tsunade abruptly appeared behind her in a swirl of leaves, as she squeaked in surprise.

"Eeeep, Lady Tsunade!"

"Hello Hinata, fancy meeting you here outside of the Council Hall. You're face is all flustered, is something the matter?"

"N, no, nothing is the matter."

"Well you have your Byakugan activated are you looking for someone?"

Hinata soon realized that it was no coincidence running into Lady Tsunade and letting her anger get the better of her decided to just tell the truth and snarled.

"Yes, I am looking for someone. I'm looking for your former apprentice and co-wife of Naruto-kun!"

"I see, judging by the tone of your voice, what are you going to do when you find her?"

"I'm going to Jyuuken her mouthy, abusive, flat-chested, bony-ass into the hospital for the next six months!" Hinata growled out with malevolence.

"I take it you've found out what Sakura did and said about Naruto at the Council meeting."

"That's right!"

Sighing heavily Tsunade looked at the fuming young woman before and knew she had to calm the girl down. Hinata beating up Sakura because of what she said about Naruto would accomplish nothing and only further exacerbate the problems all three of them now face in this new marriage.

"Hinata, before you do anything rash or something you might regret later on. Can you please talk to me for a moment?"

"I won't regret it Lady Tsunade, but I will speak with you." Hinata begrudgingly replied.

"That's fine, come let us sit in the shade on that park bench over there."

Once seated Lady Tsunade exhaled another sigh before she spoke with love and concern.

"Hinata, I know you love and care about Naruto very much and that you're angry with Sakura right now because she hurt him deeply."

"Hai, very angry!""

"Well, I know it may seem hard to believe right now, but Sakura also loves and cares about Naruto as well."

"I don't believe that, no one who loves Naruto-kun could ever say such vicious and hurtful things as she did!"

"I don't condone what Sakura said. All I can say is her and Naruto's relationship has always been...complicated. But please believe me when I tell you that Sakura deeply regrets saying those things and has been feeling nothing but pain and remorse since that day. So you beating her up for it would make no difference, because I doubt you could inflict anymore pain onto her than what she has already done to herself."

"I could try."

"You could, but I know you and I'm quite certain you would feel regret for doing so later on. You're a very kind and sweet girl Hinata; it's just not your nature to inflict pain onto someone for vengeance."

"I suppose." Hinata begrudgingly admitted.

"Of the three of you in this marriage Hinata, you probably have the most vital role of the Namikaze clan. At times, Naruto and Sakura can be a volatile mix together. However, I believe you will be a calming influence for the both of them. Because of your nature, I have faith in your abilities and I know that you will be the glue that will keep the Namikaze clan from falling apart.

"My father said practically the same thing to me earlier." Hinata replied, as her anger was slowly dissipating.

"You and Sakura play vital roles in the future success of the Namikaze clan. You both are the foundation upon which it is built and both of you need to help Naruto in ways only the two of you can. There mustn't be a conflict between the two of you that can drive a wedge into Naruto's heart. For if that happens, the Namikaze clan will be finished before it ever began. Do you understand the ramifications of what I'm saying?"

"Hai, I understand."

"Well I've already discussed this matter with Sakura, but I'll mention it to you as well. Your first duty is no longer to the Leaf village, your clan, or even yourself. Naruto has now become the center of your attention and you will have to learn, grow, and adapt to Naruto and Sakura in order to lead a happy and long life. Hinata, you are now a matriarch of the Namikaze Clan. A very difficult life is ahead of you, but it can be tremendously rewarding in many ways. One way, I believe you experienced last night."

Hinata face turned beet red and any lingering thoughts she had for hurting Sakura disappeared as the Hyuga girl thought she was going to die right there in embarrassment. Giving a small chuckle at Hinata's expression Lady Tsunade gave the girl a reassuring hug before saying with sincerity.

"There's nothing to be embarrassed about, just be glad you were able to have that first experience with the man you love. Now, I think you should go and speak with Sakura now. The two of you need to clear the air between you. And Hinata, please help Sakura, she hasn't had the training you've had to become a matriarch of a clan and the past couple of days have been overwhelming to her."

"I shall help her Lady Tsunade."

"Thank you, now if you're still looking for Sakura, she is currently at her apartment near the hospital."

"Thank you." Hinata replied, before walking away to meet with her fellow Namikaze matriarch.


Sakura stood nervously in the waiting parlor of the Hyuga residence, as one of the many attendants milling about went to fetch Hinata. She had no clear idea what to say to Hinata, but one thing Sakura was sure off was that she needed help. She needed help with Naruto, she needed help in understanding her new role and she needed help in understanding Hinata.

Sakura finally understood that she needed to act and stop reflecting on the past and fantasizing about 'what if' scenarios that never could come true. Her life was the here and now and even if it had suddenly become upside down, she realized she was still far better off than most. Being forced to marry your closest friend, your teammate, the true love of your life and be required to bear his offspring within a year may sound funny and awkward, but deep down Sakura was overjoyed. And yet she still couldn't believe that she had said those awful things to Naruto and had potentially alienated him. Even their friends hadn't understood her at all and believed Sakura to be disgusted by him.

Just thinking about the Council meeting from two days ago brought Sakura to the brink of tears but she had secretly promised herself to not cry. It was her fault from the get go. She shouldn't have said those things, let alone in a fit of angry rage upon finding out that illegal tests were done on not only her genes but Naruto's as well. Looking back at it, she actually could understand Naruto's point of view on the entire dialogue that had taken place between her and Tsunade and Sakura couldn't blame him for hating her. In fact her situation was ironically laughable at because she was the cause of her own misery.

"Namikaze-sama," the Hyuga attendant spoke up and interrupted Sakura's thoughts.

"It's Haru…," Sakura said interrupting the attendant but stopped realizing the attendant was addressing her properly.

"I am sorry, what were you about to say?"

"Lady Hinata is currently not in her room," the attendant spoke up and saw Sakura's visage darken in disappointment.

"I apologize that I had to be the bearer of bad news. However, Lord Hyuga wishes to speak to you, so if you would please follow me."

"Arigato." Sakura thanked the woman.

"Please lead the way."

Sakura's nervousness rose steadily the longer she followed the attendant through the maze that was the Hyuga manor. She was finally led into a large garden and was directed towards a white pavilion that offered plenty of shade from the scorching noon sun. And sitting underneath the white canvas was the man Sakura recognized as the current Head of the Hyuga Clan and Hinata's father Hiashi Hyuga sitting comfortably drinking tea.

"Lord Hyuga-sama," the attendant bowed in respect.

"As per your request, I present Lady Namikaze-sama to you."

"Thank you," Hiashi stood up and walked over to greet Sakura. "You may leave us now."

The attendant bowed before quickly shuffling away.

"Sakura-san." Hiashi spoke and gently placed a guiding arm around her shoulders to lead her towards a whickered chair before sitting across from her and saying.

"I am glad that you came by, but Hinata isn't in at the moment. However, it is good that you are here; I've wanted to get to know you better. In a way, as Naruto is now my son in law, you are also my daughter in law. Funny, I always expected a son in law, but not a daughter in a law as well. Regardless, I got both and I am a proud father. But where are my manners, would you like some tea?"

"Lord Hyuga-sama I…" Sakura stammered as she blushed in embarrassment as she realized that in a weird way, the Hyuga clan has become family to her and shook her.

"Please it's Hiashi-san will do Sakura-san… at least in private." Hiashi spoke and squatted away any formalities before they could arise.

"Besides, politically speaking you, Hinata, and Naruto now all hold the same respect and rank as I do amongst the villagers and to some degree the opinions of you three will be held far higher than my own. It is not every day that the son of a deceased hero rises from the shadow and becomes a hero in his own right, let alone gets fortunate enough to have two beautiful and talented wives if I may say so."

"Arigato Hiashi-san." Sakura said in embarrassment, before stammering.

"W-what would you like to know about me?"

"Oh just the usual." Hiashi spoke nonchalantly and offered Sakura some tea, who gladly accepted.

"However, I'd much rather speak to you about that little incident between you and Naruto. Have you spoken to him already or are you still not sure what to say to him?"

"I," Sakura looked away in shame and finally let out a sad sigh.

"I wanted to talk to Hinata-san about that amongst a few other things."

"I see." Hiashi commented with no trace of emotion, as he took a sip from his tea.

"Sakura-san," Hiashi spoke in a fatherly tone.

"I understand why you might be upset and feeling depressed, but even in private it is not well to express and lose control of your emotions. You have to learn to hide them behind a façade of disinterest. No matter how terrible you feel, no one should be able to tell that you are not at your best. Even at your own home you need to be aware of spies and people intending to hurt you and your family. The only people that are allowed to see how you truly feel are Naruto and Hinata."

"H-hai." Sakura replied and remembered a lesson she was taught by Tsunade during her early years of training into becoming a medic and doctor.

(Flashback)

'Sakura when you lead a team of doctors and nurses you need to always reassure them that the work they do is proficient, efficient, and that you are always there to catch them if they fall. There will be days where you've spent the entire night in surgery and even as you feel the exhaustion trying to bring you down, you need to put up a strong front for everyone. They will look up to you for guidance and can never see how weak you feel. You have to be strong for your patients and for your staff, even if you feel like shit and just want to curl up and cry.'

(Flashback Ends)

"Do you have any questions that you'd like to ask me?" Hiashi asked.

"Yes one, why are you being so nice to me?" Sakura asked and briefly studied Hinata's father.

Hiashi looked a bit surprised for a second before bursting out in laughter.

"I compliment your directness Sakura but I suggest you keep it in check, especially during council meetings. A lot of the people you will have to deal with can't handle such directness let alone honesty. They will always question your motives, as you should question theirs, but I already can tell you've picked that up working closely under Godaime-sama."

"You still haven't answered my question Hiashi-san." Sakura replied.

"My understanding of family might be slightly different than yours but within my family, we are honest and tell each other everything. There are no secret agendas, so I ask of you to be the same towards myself, Naruto, and Hinata."

"Well spoken Sakura," Hiashi smiled happily.

"Hinata will definitely learn from you and I do want to answer your question as truthfully as possible, but in order to do that please answer one of my own first."

"Okay," Sakura said and agreed to the proposal.

"Thank you," Hiashi answered and took another sip from his tea. He placed the cup onto the table and folded his hands in front of his face as his elbows rested on the armchair. He scrutinized Sakura briefly and finally spoke,

"Are you truly afraid of Naruto losing control of the Kyuubi within him?"

Sakura blinked in surprise

"W-what? I don't understand, I never said that."

"Granted you didn't," Hiashi agreed but kept his gaze on her and continued on.

"However, during the incident at the Council meeting, it came across as if you implied that Naruto could lose control of the Kyuubi again and be a danger to you and the village alike."

"No!" Sakura quickly replied angrily and added.

"Naruto would never willingly give in to the Kyuubi. He knows the dangers and…"

"Willingly?" Hiashi calmly asked but Sakura knew that she was backed into a corner and she silently cursed.

"Yes," Sakura finally admitted through clenched teeth as her eyes no longer met those of Hinata's father.

"He would never do that but…"

"But you are afraid he might be goaded into it again," Hiashi asked and finished the sentence for Sakura.

"Just like the time years ago when your former Genin team met up with one of Sasori of the Red Sand supposed loyal contacts and Naruto lost control of the Kyuubi's powers, as he fought Orochimaru and injured you in the process."

Sakura suddenly felt ashamed and utterly broken and a single tear escaped her eyes and she weakly nodded as her head hung down in defeat.

"Yes," she answered weakly, yet seconds later her head shot up and her teary green eyes were lit with a fire.

"But I know he won't allow that to happen again. He has grown far stronger than he was back then and his control will only grow stronger and I will help him in any way I can. I won't give up on him."

"Excellent," Hiashi said pleased with Sakura's response.

"I take it you do love him then?"

"Yes," Sakura replied without hesitation and in honesty. "I love him, I've always loved him, and I was just too blind to see it. I wasn't honest to myself," Sakura suddenly chuckled as she remembered her mother's words.

"I guess my mother was right all along… if it doesn't jump at me and slap me in the face, I fail to see the trees amongst the forest."

Hinata's father chuckled as well, "It appears your mother is quite wise. Thank you Sakura, I enjoyed our talk. Please feel free to come by anytime."

"Y-yes, thank you for your time." Sakura stuttered as she blinked in surprise at the sudden dismissal.

As she stood up and said goodbye and a Hyuga servant appeared as if on cue to escort her back outside. Sakura quietly followed the servant as her mind was preoccupied with the meeting with Hinata's father when she suddenly realized that he hadn't kept his promise to answer her question.

'Damn it that cheat, he did that on purpose.' Sakura angrily thought.


When Sakura returned from the Hyuga compound, she was appreciative of the words spoken to her by Hiashi Hyuga, but also frustrated at being tricked by the man into answering his question without answering hers. Flopping down onto the couch in her living room the young pink-haired girl realized that she still needed to clean herself up and go out to search for Hinata once more when she heard someone knocking on her door. Opening the door she nearly fell to the ground in shock, as she was staring at the lavender-eyed girl with long indigo-colored hair she knew oh so well and was about to search for. Before she could say anything, the Hyuga girl suddenly lashed out and struck a tenketsu point in the center of Sakura's chest, which drove all of the air out of her lungs and dropped her to her knees. As Sakura gasped and heaved for air, she heard Hinata close the door behind her and say.

"Hello Sakura, I think we need to talk."

"H-Hinata?" Sakura choked out still gasping for air, as Hinata knelt down and reopened the tenketsu point she struck and said.

"You had that coming Sakura after what you said and did to Naruto-kun in the Council session. However, since we are both his wives, I hope you can forgive me for striking you, as we do need to talk about a great many things. But if you can't forgive me, I will leave you alone."

As Sakura quickly regained some air into her lungs allowing her to speak, she surprised Hinata by stating in agreement.

"Y-yes you're right, I did have that coming, so there's nothing to forgive. Please come inside, we should talk."

"Thank you," Hinata replied courteously and entered Sakura's apartment and took a seat on the couch in the living room.

"Can I offer you anything to drink?, some tea perhaps? I could set the kettle and…" Sakura asked nervously.

"Tea is fine," Hinata answered and smiled warmly as she watched Sakura quickly retreat into the kitchen. As she waited, Hinata studied Sakura's apartment and immediately realized that it was kept well organized, structured, and tidy. Everything in the apartment seemed to have its place and even if it was a tad bit too controlling for Hinata's sake, she approved because it didn't hinder the warm atmosphere that Sakura's apartment held.

"You know Sakura," Hinata said as the pink-haired girl returned minutes later with a tray of cookies and tea.

"I've never been inside your apartment before but I really like it."

"Thank you Hinata," Sakura said and placed the tray onto the small coffee table and took a seat in the chair beside her.

Hinata smiled and nodded and took the tea cup in between her hands and inhaled the sweet aroma.

"So…"

"Yeah," Sakura replied and inhaled the aroma as well as an awkward silence beheld the apartment.

"We should talk Sakura." Hinata said and sipped from the cup.

"I'm sorry Hinata."

"For what?" Hinata asked in confusion and frowned, as she looked at Sakura and saw her fellow kunoichi's head drop in what could only be described as humiliation.

"This morning, I didn't know."

"Sakura you shouldn't apologize to me but to Naruto-kun," Hinata replied and smiled reassuringly before saying.

"I already know what happened between you and Naruto-kun at the Council meeting and I have to be honest, I was downright furious with you about it. So much so I was ready to beat you to a pulp, but Lady Tsunade convinced me otherwise. However, I'm still having trouble understanding your reasoning behind it, but I'm sure there is a valid explanation behind those awful things you said to Naruto-kun."

"Hinata," Sakura said weakly, before pleading.

"I… I need your help. I didn't mean the things I said. Please Hinata, please you have to believe me, I do love Naruto. I know you love him too; you've loved him far longer than I ever did, but if I can't convince you then there is no chance for me to ever let Naruto know the truth."

A pained expression briefly flashed across Hinata's face only to be replaced with fondness.

"Sakura I… you don't have to convince me. As hard as it is, I believe you because we need to trust each other. My father, as well as Lady Tsunade said that there is far more going on between you and Naruto-kun. Please Sakura, be honest to me and explain everything. We need to understand each other first before we can talk to Naruto-kun."

"W-we?" Sakura asked in disbelief.

"Yes," Hinata replied and smiled.

"We are his wives now are we not? If we can't work together and help guide Naruto's clan, our clan, through this problem and any future problems. Then we'll never survive the pressure Konohagakure will place upon us."

"I… I don't know what to say," Sakura said and wiped a tear away that was rolling down her face.

"It's fine," Hinata said to reassure the pinkette.

"This will be difficult though. We won't have it easy with the villagers and especially the other clans. They will judge us with every step and you need to understand that you can't trust anyone anymore, not even Ino-san. When it comes to politics, blood always runs thicker than friendship."

"But?" Sakura interjected to which Hinata only shook her head in sadness.

"I know Sakura, but we can't afford it. I know these things far better than you, so please trust me. There are and will be situations where you will have an opinion that I might not like and vice-versa, but we have to accept without complaint or argument whichever opinion Naruto-kun chooses and support him one hundred percent."

"R-really?" Sakura questioned with astonishment.

"Yes." Hinata smiled warmly and added.

"I might have the political knowledge and knowhow of the Council meetings, as well as how the clan hierarchy works. But you Sakura, you have far better knowledge about Naruto-kun than I do and well… your social skills are better. You are more outgoing than me and I envy you in that regard. For the longest time I've been jealous that you've been able to experience Naruto-kun when he is at his weakest, but also at his strongest. You were able to form special bonds and moments that I could only dream off."

"Hinata…" Sakura said sadly, wondering if she had forever ruined those special bonds by her actions two days ago.

"I know that I can create my own happy moments with Naruto-kun now. But what I've been trying to say is that we need to work together…"

"…For us to enjoy a peaceful and stress free life." Sakura finished and smiled weakly.

"Tsunade-sama said something very similar to me. She also told me that I need to re-prioritize my life and that Naruto and our clan needs to be put even before my own happiness. Yet I think… I believe that happiness awaits me with Naruto regardless and I'm honestly glad that you're Naruto's second wife Hinata and not some stranger. I know we never really spoke or hung out, but at least I know you truly love Naruto for what he is and not his fame."

"I do love him and have for as long as I can remember," Hinata admitted. "I doubt either of us was thrilled to hear that we had to share Naruto-kun with someone else, but I am also relieved that you are the other person. I know that there is a special bond between you and Naruto, a bond I will most likely never understand because it is somehow tied in with Sasuke."

"Hinata it's not just Sasuke." Sakura interrupted, before she heaved a heavy sigh and said

"Sasuke was and actually still is the only brother Naruto ever had and he will do anything for him. Naruto made a promise to me once, a promise he should have never made because in order to keep that promise I fear that Naruto will lose his life."

"It's his promise of bringing Sasuke back to you is it not?" Hinata asked and received a sad nod from Sakura.

"I want to find Sasuke myself and ask him one more time to return to Konoha," Sakura spoke and exhaled as her shoulders dropped in sadness.

"But if he refuses, I decided a long time ago that I would stop him myself in order to protect Naruto."

"We can do that together if you wish?" Hinata offered.

"Together, our chances against Sasuke are a lot higher and I want to protect Naruto-kun as well. And I wouldn't be a good wife of his, if I let his other wife do something incredibly stupid." Hinata added with a broad smile.

"Heh," Sakura chuckled.

"Thank you Hinata. However, I don't think either you or I will be getting out of the village anytime soon. I'm guessing that you're required to sire an heir within a year yourself?"

Hinata nodded in confirmation.

"So… did you and Naruto… well you know… sleep together last night?" Sakura hesitantly inquired, as she looked away in embarrassment.

Hinata's face turned a bright pink and she nodded quietly. Sakura's face briefly flashed a hint of pain but was quickly replaced with an honest smile that held adoration and warmth.

"I want to ask for details, but I think it's best I don't." Sakura muttered sheepishly, as she saw Hinata's face turn a dangerous bright red.

"S-Sakura," Hinata stammered finally and looked at the pink-haired medic with a hint of concern on her face and asked.

"I- I was wondering whether you know if Naruto-kun's uniqueness will have any effect on us and well our children?"

Sakura looked startled at the sudden question and frowned in thought as she mulled over Hinata's very valid question.

"I honestly have no idea," Sakura replied in concern. She quickly got out of her comfortable chair and disappeared within another room only to return seconds later with a large scroll.

Sakura dropped onto the lush carpet and unrolled the large scroll. Her eyes ran across the hundreds upon hundreds of lines as her index finger tapped impatiently against her lips. She failed to realize that Hinata had quickly joined her on the floor and looked over her shoulder when suddenly Sakura's finger tapped at a certain section in the massive scroll that had been completely unraveled by now.

"What does it say?" Hinata asked right next to Sakura's ear, which made the girl jump in surprise and yelp.

"Ah! Gosh Hinata you scared me."

"I'm sorry; I didn't mean to scare you. I thought you had realized that I had joined you on the floor." Hinata quickly apologized.

"No no, I'm sorry. I was far too deeply caught up in the scroll and in what you said that I completely forgot about you."

"Well no harm done," Hinata said and laughed. The lavender-eyed girl looked curiously at the section of text Sakura had pointed at and asked.

"So what did you find out?"

"Nothing," Sakura admitted sheepishly. "But I did find out that Jinchuuriki are capable of child bearing." Sakura frowned and quickly rethought what she had said, "I mean in Naruto's case, he should be able to… to… um… well, and he should be able to copulate."

"But there is nothing in this scroll that will tell us whether our children will be normal?" Hinata asked in concern.

"Well define normal with Naruto-kun," Sakura said jokingly but quickly sobered up.

"No, I'm sorry Hinata. I guess we'll just have to wait and see, but don't you worry, if we bring demon children onto this world, I'll make sure they will fear the two of us." To emphasize her words, Sakura cracked her knuckles and smirked playfully at the shy girl next to her.

Hinata started laughing.

"I'll hold you to that if that ever happens."

Sakura laughed as well.

"I am sure you will Hinata."

"Say Hinata, about this clan business, I know I will need all the help I can get from you but more importantly, how is this going to work? I… I don't want to be a part of a clan that suppresses their own members, let alone treat their servants coldly."

Hinata tilted her head in surprised confusion before asking.

"You've been inside the Hyuga manor I take it?"

"Yes I have, no offense to you, but it seemed like a very cold atmosphere to me. Sakura admitted.

"Sadly, that is the normal impression most visitors feel while they are there. Exactly why were you there Sakura?"

"I was there earlier after I spoke to Tsunade-sama and was looking for you, but was told that you weren't in. However, while I was there your father wished to speak to me and well… I… I don't think I left a good impression, but I'm not sure either. He was really nice, which I thought was odd because from his reputation I've heard that he is quite fearsome and not easily trifled with."

Hinata sighed in regret.

"I'm sorry Sakura. My father has a strange affect on many visitors, he likes to play mind games as well as manipulate people into doing his bidding even if they don't realize it. He is always looking for information in the hopes of being able to navigate the Hyuga clan into a position of gaining anything from status, power, or wealth. In regards of politics, he is one of the most dangerous people we will have to face."

"I don't understand, why would he do that to this clan? I mean you're the matriarch of this clan and his daughter. Would he really try to manipulate Naruto's clan to gain as you said status, power, or wealth for the Hyuga clan?"

"Yes Sakura he would, as most of the clans would, as we will have to do in the future. Yes I'm the matriarch of this clan and his daughter, but don't forget you are also a matriarch of the clan. Tell me, did he say anything that surprised you?"

"Well, he started off the conversation by stating that he wanted to get to me better because since Naruto is his son-in-law, that also makes me his daughter-in-law. But he was so nice and complimentary when spoke to me. He called Naruto a hero and said he was fortunate to have two beautiful and talented wives. I just can't imagine he had any ulterior motive, while talking to me."

"Hmmm, it's a clever move on my father's part. If he can ingratiate himself with you and with me being his daughter, I'm sure he thinks that the two of us acting as a team could sway Naruto-kun into his way of thinking on political matters. He's probably right that the two of us acting as a team could unduly influence Naruto on certain matters."

"We're not going to do that are we Hinata?"

"Only when 'we' feel its necessary Sakura and it certainly won't be at the behest of my father that I can assure you."

"What should we do?"

"Nothing at the moment, we'll deal with my father's political maneuvers at another time. Right now we have to come to terms with the our marital situation with Naruto-kun."

"So how do you think we should handle this?"

"One step at a time," Hinata replied, before adding.

"We can't decide upon how this marriage will function without Naruto-kun and before we can even do that, we have to fix the problem between you and him. But be assured Sakura, I do not wish to create a copy of the Hyuga Clan. I might have been raised by them, I might have been born into that family, and I might have been taught by them, but I am still myself and I choose my own destiny. I have a new family now, a new clan, and you and Naruto are the only people that matter now. Our future lies in our hands and we'll manage."

Sakura smiled and surprised Hinata when she pulled the Indigo-haired girl into a hug

"I am glad you're here with me Hinata. I don't think I could handle this without you."

Hinata smiled and returned the hug.

"We are equals Sakura. But now I think it's time that you answer a question for me. Are you really afraid of Naruto-kun because he might lose his control of the Kyuubi no Youko?"

"No, I've had two days to think about what I said and I realize it was just an excuse that I had convinced myself of, but I knew it wasn't true."

"Then why did you say such hurtful things? What is it that you're truly afraid of?"

Sakura exhaled a forlorn sigh before answering.

"Hinata, I always believed that Naruto's love for me was superficial when it actually had been sincere. He never denied his feelings for me, as I had to him. Because Naruto proudly proclaimed his love for me openly and without reservation, I thought he couldn't be serious. It was just a crush that he would grow out of, I had told myself. That made it easier for me to reject him at every turn, but that justification I had created was false and it's only result was me lying to myself and that scared me."

"I don't understand, why would Naruto's love frighten you?

"I feared the depth and loyalty of Naruto's emotions for me Hinata. Hurting him in a sick sense had been a test I was continuously giving Naruto, to see if physical pain would break his spirit. For every declaration of love he gave to me, I had given him a punch, and yet it hadn't shaken his resolve in the least and that's what frightened me."

Sakura sniffled and grabbed a tissue to wipe her eyes before continuing on.

"In a way, all of the abuse I've given Naruto was nothing more than a foolish emotional defense mechanism to force him to give me up before I got burned. Naruto's presence had angered me Hinata because I was scared of him, scared of the offer of love he freely presented to me, scared of his very existence. I now realize that Naruto has always held a deep and tender spot in my own heart. However, to let him know that was an admission to myself that I've never been strong enough to accept….until now."

Sakura felt her heart sink in sorrow and remorse remembering the way she had ignored not only Naruto's genuine feelings for her, but had also ignored the genuine feelings she held for him, yet always kept buried. All the pink-haired kunoichi could hope for now is that the damage she had caused to Naruto was not irreparable, as she spoke in a choked voice.

"Pl, please help me Hinata. I don't want to be Naruto's wife in name only as he has declared. I, I want to be a part of his life, a part of his clan, our clan."

"I will, but please answer me this last question and I promise that I will never ask you about this again." Hinata asked with a warm smile.

"S-sure, yes of course."

"During the council meeting, you spoke of your fear of being an outcast and living in darkness and you didn't know if your love for Naruto was strong enough to live like that? Are you sure your love for Naruto-kun is strong enough now to live like that if you had to. Because if it's not, then perhaps you should be Naruto's wife in name only and nothing more."

"It's… well… I." Sakura stuttered as her shoulders had sagged once more as she was forced to remember her dreadful words.

"I think if you had asked me this same question two days ago, I wouldn't be able to answer you truthfully because I never understood it myself. However, Tsunade-sama confronted me at the end of the Council meeting and told me to use my fear to get stronger, to use it to overcome the darkness I thought I had fallen into… two days ago I didn't know what she meant with those words but now… now I think I finally know. Just as I denied my feelings for Naruto, I was blinded at the same time from seeing that Naruto brought light into my life from the moment I met him. I was blind Hinata, so blind that I didn't realize that I never was once living in darkness when I had fallen for Naruto, even before then."

Sakura briefly paused to collect her thoughts and loudly inhaled, which was followed by a heavy sigh.

"Hinata, if you think of my life as a line, you will not see a straight line but one with many peaks and troughs. Every peak you'll see is accompanied with an interaction between myself and Naruto-kun. Before I met him, my life was dark and gloomy and the blackness that surrounded me only started to fade with my meeting of Naruto-kun. The more I was forced to interact with him, the more I found myself standing in the light. Now I know that Naruto-kun is that light and not Sasuke as I made myself believe for a time and refuse to admit that my life had become brighter with Naruto-kun. Perhaps, the moment when I was injured by Naruto-kun when he lost control of the Kyuubi was the single moment of clarity for me. Seeing him in such pain, watching him being consumed by the demon's hatred, rage, and darkness… that single moment opened my eyes and I finally had realized how important Naruto-kun is to me. Yet somehow, I was still unable to be the person Naruto-kun wished for. I don't know why it took me this long and why I had to be such an idiot, but now I finally know I do truly love him. Please Hinata… I can't do this alone. I can't face Naruto-kun by myself, he'll never believe me."

Hinata pulled Sakura into her arms and embraced her weeping fellow matriarch of the Namikaze clan and comforted the young girl and soothingly said.

"Thank you for being honest with me. I believe you and I promise that I'll help you, you won't have to face Naruto-kun alone."

"Thank you." Sakura wept into the lavender haired kunoichi's shoulder.

"But how are we going to do this? How are we going to find Naruto-kun? He will probably just ignore me or worst; send me away to Tsunade-sama to get artificial insemination…"

"Naruto-kun won't do that," Hinata tried to reassure the pink-haired woman in her arms but had to be truthful to her own conscious and had to admit that she wasn't entirely sure of it herself.

"C'mon Sakura… let's get you cleaned up. While you take a shower, I will look through your clothes and find something appropriate and when you are ready, the two of us will go to the Hokage's office and meet up with Naruto-kun."

"W-why would Naruto-kun be at the Hokage's office?" Sakura asked as she and Hinata walked towards Sakura's bathroom.

"Because Naruto-kun told me that he had to meet with Hokage-sama, and afterwards he promised to go take me out to lunch… so he might as well take both of us to lunch and at the same time we'll explain everything to him and then we can discuss how he wishes to run his clan."

"Okay." Sakura sniffled as she stood in front of her bathroom door. She turned around and embraced Hinata in another strong hug.

"Thank you so much Hinata. Y-you have no idea how much…"

"It's okay Sakura," Hinata replied and returned the hug.

"Now go shower, I'll be waiting for you right here when you're done. We'll get through this, I promise."

As Hinata watched Sakura disappear into the bathroom the confident smile on her face disappeared and her visage took on an appearance of apprehension, as she thought to herself.

'At least I hope we'll get through this?'


Authors Notes: Here is chapter three for everyone to enjoy, I hope? It was a very lengthy dialogue driven chapter and though there were no major changes from the original, there were quite a few subtle ones throughout the chapter that required quite a bit of rewriting. This will probably be the last update for this story for a little while, as I need to turn my attention back to my main story" Naruto vs. Sasuke: The Aftermath." I was discouraged in the amount of reviews the last chapter received, but I still want to thank everyone who took the time to leave a review on it or this story. They really do help an author out in knowing what people like about a story, as well as motivate them.

Thanks for your support of this story and take it easy!

Kingkakashi