Later that night
Naruto was right to say that Sakura was more than pissed at everyone when she got Naruto's phone call asking if she would come over and help clean up Sasuke's place since he and Neji had just gotten into a major brawl.
When they had finally swept up all the glass and gotten the room back in some sense of order she started chewing all of them out starting with Sasuke." I swear having Naruto around is draining you of brain cells or something! I mean I never heard of pregnancy leading to a loss in logical thinking, how could you not expect this to happen when you invite a pissed off know-it-all like Neji here?" She paced in front of the couch her friends were sitting on throwing her hands up in frustration as Sasuke avoided her angry gaze. "Your lucky you didn't get hurt! You want to give your kids brain damage or something on purpose!"
Then she turned to Hinata " And you! I was hoping that having a woman around would keep these two dimwits in line but it just seems like your causing your own set of problems! I'll tell you this thought if your going to keep this up I think you should just move in with Kiba or go home because Sasuke doesn't need this, he needs your help not your baggage he's got enough of his own! Got it!"
Hinata was sitting between the two boys on the couch with tears streaming down her face as she took in all of Sakura's lecture. She was unsure if Sakura would find it weird or not but she saw her friend as a mother figure so she was even more upset that she had disappointed Sakura so much. They weren't extremely close but Hinata considered her a role model in a lot of ways considering the other girls she was surrounded by who she thought to be quite shallow sometimes while her own mother had let her father treat her so badly. She wiped her tears as she watched Sakura smack Naruto on the head as she moved on to lecturing him next.
" AND MORON YOU'RE THE WORST OF THE BUNCH! What father thinks that he can solve everything with his fist, if your actually going to make this family thing work out your going to have to learn not to let people get to you so easily! I know an equal part of the situation was Neji's fault but I don't care! What if you're babies were out here in the real world instead of sitting comfortably in Sasuke's stomach huh? They would have been seriously hurt during all of this Naruto! So if you all are going to continue living under the same roof all three of you guys have to get your act together and be more responsible. I mean your running out of time for silly bullshit like this to not become a major issue. Sasuke is five months pregnant and you don't even have diapers or jobs to take care of the twins. And Hinata how long is it before your going to get a job instead of worrying about sex and your family issues?"
Sakura stood there in front of the couch waiting for a reply from one of them while tapping her foot until she felt a bit of pity on her friends. Hinata was looking like a puppy that was scolded after having an accident on the carpet, Naruto seemed embarrassed and depressed by her words and Sasuke looked like he might actually cry if he would allow himself to. She may have been harsh but she was incredibly worried. She still was never around because of school and duties she was required to do for Lady Tsunade so getting a call like this so late at night just tipped her over the edge. Sakura went over to her bag and pulled out some bandages and antiseptic and went to work on Hinata's feet.
Her love towards Naruto and Sasuke had always been strong, she loved both boys very much and had always been the glue keeping this friendship together so while she was yelling at them she was also mad at herself. Sakura felt it was her job to keep the peace but being busy kept her away. Was it selfish of her to be working so much? Obviously things were not the best even when she was there to offer a helping hand but things were better in comparison to tonight. Sakura was finishing the bandages as she considered giving up being an apprentice and studying to help Naruto and Sasuke. They were her family or at least close enough for her to think of them that way when Hinata tapped her on the shoulder.
"Thank you Sakura…my feet feel much better now."
"Your welcome Hinata, and don't take all that stuff I said as me not liking you or something I'm just really stressed. Maybe I should just slow down and just hang here and take care of things till these two can get things under control." The boys felt ashamed as they heard her consider putting her life on hold because they were screwing up their own and continued to stare off into space feeling bad about everything.
Hinata fiddled with the ends of her hair as she stoke up again, "But your right …this whole mess started with me and I wont let it happen again. I wont let you down again so you don't have to give up doing what is so important to you. Tomorrow I'm going job hunting and I wont stop till somebody, anybody hires me. I'm always talking about making changes and growing and I don't think you know this Sakura but I look up to you a lot. I might want to be more like Naruto but I also want to be… more like you."
"Me, really?"
"Yes, you. Your beautiful , strong but you such a caring person at the same time. And at times your more of a mother to me than my own mother. I don't want to let you down Sakura, I want you to be proud of me."
Sakura was astonished she didn't know Hinata thought of her that way. But come to think of it she didn't treat Hinata like she did the guys or even the few girls she did associate with. She treated Hinata well, like her child she didn't realize it till now or know even why or when it started but she felt a maternal instinct take over with Hinata.
"That's why I feel really bad that I'm not doing better with taking care of Naruto and Sasuke. You love them and you trusted me to help them and I've been more concerned with my problems instead of them and the babies. So from this moment on you will have nothing to worry about ; as long as you work hard toward your dreams and make Naruto and Sasuke proud and keep being the amazing woman I admire I promise to keep things under control here. Hinata held up a hand in the victory sign and shot a smile that could compete with Naruto's. It felt like Hinata had read Sakura's mind and more importantly she had said she was beautiful! After years of being called billboard brow or flat chested to be called something like beautiful by anyone was a huge ego stroke.
"OH HINATA I THINK I LOVE YOU!" Sakura squeezed Hinata tight as she sat on the girls lap making the Hyūga girl blush from such sudden physical contact and the fact Sakura was cutting off some of her oxygen.
Sasuke smirked as he watched the girls being so affectionate, "Well I guess we know who Sakura's favorite is, guess your pretty jealous huh Naruto? Maybe you should take some tips from Hinata on women because even she is getting farther with Sakura than you."
"OH SHUT UP TEME !"
November
Hinata had kept her promise to Sakura and went out the very next day after Naruto's fight with her cousin Neji and went in search of a new job. It was a slow search that day since her feet were still bandaged but she wouldn't let that hinder her. She shuffled around town with Kiba and Naruto all day and was unsuccessful everywhere. She was feeling lower than she ever had thinking she was going to break her promised when Kiba offered to treat them to dinner and it could only be considered true luck that out of all the places they visited all day the blondes most treasured place would have a sign in the window looking for a new waitress.
Ichiraku's Ramen was typically run by the owner, Teuchi, and his daughter Ayame but that night the restaurant was extremely short handed since his daughter Ayame had decided to go on a long trip and was unsure of her return. So Teuchi was trying to wait tables, cook meals, and keep his sanity all at the same time when the entire restaurant turned out to be packed. The poor guy was aging by the minute when the three friends walked in and he shouted to Naruto that if he got his ass in the kitchen he'd get his very long tab cleared. Naruto pulled the other two in the kitchen in a hurry, he had a very expensive tab open for a couple of years that he was sure he would die before paying off. Ayame had always been nice and overlooked Naruto's money problems whenever he came in since he was such a nice guy but tonight he was going to have to work for his meal. After all if Ayame wasn't there to sneak him ramen behind her fathers back what on earth would he eat? Vegetables? I don't think so. They worked until closing time after finding extra white robes in the back that are the uniform at Ichiraku's and got to work. Teuchi back in the kitchen trying to show Naruto the ropes, Kiba working the front and Hinata waiting the tables.
They were exhausted once all the customers were feed and gone but as a thank you Teuchi held up his end of the bargain and got rid of Naruto's debit and offered them all jobs. Hinata jumped at the opportunity and because it was his favorite restaurant and he thought he might get an employee discount Naruto also agreed and talked Kiba into agreeing also. So now during most of the day Sasuke was on his own. School was awkward for him with everyone gawking at him or thinking just because he was pregnant and non threatening that he wanted them rubbing his stomach or asking him dumb questions. And besides the nimrods who gathered around him more now than ever he was alone most of the time except for at lunch when his friends would meet back up and keep him company. But as soon as the school bell rang he was alone again. Naruto had been hitting the books hard saying he wanted to set a better example for their kids ,Hinata was off with Kiba and Shino while Sakura was busy as always. Now with everyone working he had adjust again to solitude in his big empty house until their shifts ended and they had dinner together.
So after school Naruto and Hinata walked Sasuke home before they headed off to work. Sasuke waved good-bye to them and watched as Naruto casually wrapped his arm around the girls shoulders as she placed hers around his waist and talked as they made their way to work. The Uchiha stood watching for a minute wondering why in all this time something beyond an occasional hug or that one kiss happened between himself and Hinata. He shook the silly thought from his head, she was with Kiba and he was six months pregnant so he had to push thoughts like that to the bottom of the things he should be concerned about. After struggling up the hill to his house Sasuke went to change out of his school clothes. Even the most simple of task winded him so climbing that hill seemed almost impossible, he felt completely out of shape and it seemed to have happened over nigh. One week he was still relatively thin besides the bulge under his shirt then WHAM his mini watermelon had ballooned into a novelty beach ball. He couldn't remember the last time he was able to see his toes and his belly button was on the verge of becoming an outie any day now.
It was weird thinking it was possible to be this big when before he had a body some girls would envy and watching Naruto walk around the house everyday, most of the time shirtless, didn't make him feel any better about his body. The blond was tall, tan, with abs and muscles that were always on display. Sasuke tried not to make it obvious he was watching but he was feeling insecure all the time when he saw Naruto and when Kiba would pop by it was worse. The dog would come by to the house to see Hinata or Naruto and he still wasn't Sasuke's favorite person in the village. He would come by and Hinata would be cuddling up to Kiba on the couch next to his fit and muscular frame and he could almost feel the sexual tension in the air when the couple was home and it made him sick. He couldn't help but resent Kiba because he still held on to most of his feelings for Hinata. He couldn't help but feel inadequate in comparison to a body like that which was wrapped around the girl he wished he could be.
The phone rang in the kitchen so after pulling on a t-shirt that was already getting snug Sasuke went to answer the call doing his best minimize the amount of waddle in his walk.
" Hello."
"Hey Sasuke , it's Naruto, you doing ok?"
" I have told you a hundred times already you don't need to call every time you get a chance, what do you think is going to happen to me if you're not around huh? A meteor shower is going to hit the house or something?"
"Oh, don't be such a smartass Teme. Can't I just be worried about you? Your pretty pregnant now so I worry more, plus I have something important to tell you."
"What, did you finally get Sakura to agree to go on a date with you without bribing or drugging her?" Sasuke took a seat at his new table that Neji bought along with some basics for the babies and some other furniture when he heard Naruto shout yes. " What! How in the world did you get her to agree to a date with you? You've been asking almost every day since we were twelve and she says no every time or knocks you flat on your ass. What made this time any different?"
" I just have skills like that." Sasuke could hear the smugness in Naruto's voice and picture the stupid grin he probably had plastered on his face.
"No, really what did you do?"
" To tell you the truth she asked me out."
" I knew this was a lie, don't bother calling me if you're just going to tell me about your fantasy."
"Wait Sasuke don't hang up I'm not lying! She came by just a little bit ago and asked me to meet her after I got off of work. I didn't even do anything other than nod my head and then she left I still couldn't belive she had done it."
"Well, that doesn't sound like much of a date to me. In fact it just sounds like she wants to talk."
"Hey it's better than anything I got before so don't stomp on my dreams! But it means I wont be back in time for dinner and Hinata wanted me to tell you she is going to be eating with Neji tonight and didn't have time to make anything for you so she is sending Kiba by with a doggie bag." Things went quite on the other end of the receiver ," Come on Sasuke I know it was a bad pun but you could at least give me a pity chuckle for my attempt at making you laugh."
"Why are you going to let her send that idiot over here. I'd rather starve than take food from him."
"Sasuke come on he is doing his girlfriend and you a favor. You are feeding three people so don't try and play off like your not starving by now. I can almost hear your stomach rumbling through the phone. What's your problem with Kiba anyway? I know you never really like anyone but you hate Kiba with a fiery passion for no reason."
" I have my reasons."
"Like what? He has never done a thing to you that should have you so pissed. I mean before he started dating Hinata you never even had to speak to the guy and as soon as you had to you're acting like a dick instantly. Ha-ha-ha are you jealous that he's with Hinata or something Ha-ha-ha!" Sasuke bit his tongue, he couldn't think of anything to say to that statement when Naruto seemed to have the clues all come together for him.
The blond whispered back into the phone after looking around the back of the restaurant to make sure no one was around before he spoke. "Oh my god you do like Hinata don't you? I mean your not denying it, oh my god! And no wonder you hate Kiba! He's sleeping with the girl you like when your use to girls flocking to you. I mean of course you would like the one girl out of an inter village who was crazy over your best friend and so shy she couldn't even look you in the eye till she had to live in your house. Just completely typical of you, I cant believe I didn't see it before!"
"Your not the smartest guy around so I'm not surprised in the least. Just…don't say anything alright. She's happy and it's not like anything was going to happen between us anyway."
" Ok ,but you never know maybe she goes for guys with bad attitudes and Buddha bellies."
"Whatever just tell that dog not to drool on my food and good luck with Sakura I guess."
"Thanks, I gotta get back to work anyway people are finally showing up and I'll make sure to pass on you're message. See you tonight, tell the kids a bedtime story and give them a goodnight kiss for me Teme."
After work
Neji was waiting for Hinata as she handed Kiba Sasuke's dinner." It's his favorite; onigiri with okaka and tomatoes so make sure you don't smush it. And give him this note he never remembers to take his vitamins if I don't remind him about it." She gave him a kiss before hanging up her robe and walking away with her cousin.
Kiba waved good-bye to the both of them before turning to the blond and groaning." I love Hinata and all but I really would rather do anything than spend a second with Sasuke. I don't know how you can stand that guy! And am I the only person he hates this much or what?" Akamaru was making his way from behind the restaurant as Kiba shook the bag of food a little before Naruto stopped him.
"Come on don't do that ,and no, he pretty much hates you more than any one else. But thanks for doing this for us we know Sasuke is always a major jerk to you but it really is helping us out tonight. Hinata needs at least one member of her family she can be close to so it's nice that Neji really meant that he wanted to patch things up between them and I'm going to be out with Sakura which I've been waiting for since forever. And plus we both know Hinata will be paying you back in more ways than one."
Kiba hopped onto Akamaru's back and returned Naruto's thumbs up," Heh well, we both know I'm always up for getting wild I'm just lucky she is too." Kiba and Akamaru were off to make their delivery and Naruto was on his way to meet up with Sakura. She had told him to meet her at her apartment and he had to hold in his excitement and not run the entire way there.
He had been in love with Sakura Hano for as long as he guessed Hinata had been in love with him which is such a long time he couldn't remember not having feelings for her. She had captured his heart from the very beginning. It all started when they both were teamed up together with Sasuke years ago and ended up becoming friends. He knew she was in a competition with Ino for Sasuke's heart but that didn't stop him from pursuing her. Even though his efforts usually interfered with Sakura's similar efforts with Sasuke which made her think he was deliberately trying to ruin her life. However as time passed his persistent efforts for her affection just became something typical as she gave up on her own for Sasuke.
Naruto made it to her door and knocked and waited for her to come to the door. He smelled his shirt which smelled like cooking oil and prayed she wouldn't notice as he knocked again. Then he heard the murmur of voices coming from the other side of the door, he pressed an ear against the wood and listened.
"You have to go home now, I told Naruto to meet me here after his shift ended so he could be showing up any minute and I think it would be best if you weren't here when I tell him." Naruto recognized the voice as Sakura's but his jaw dropped when he realized who the second belonged to.
" Sakura please I would find it disgraceful for the woman I love to be alone while turning down another mans request for her heart. Guy sensei would be ashamed to find that his student had done something as shameful as leave his woman alone in a situation such as this and it is only right that I be here to tell Naruto myself that I have asked for your hand in engagement and later marriage."
Naruto couldn't believe his ears, Bushy Brows, Rock Lee was in Sakura's apartment talking about how she had agreed to become his fiancée and wanted to be there as she broke the news to him! Since when was she even dating Lee? Naruto was sure Lee had gotten turned down twice as many times as he had and how did they even have time to date let alone get engaged when he was one of her best friends and he never even saw her when she did have free time.
"Lee I know you want to be here but I don't think it would be right. Naruto has confessed his love to me just as many times, or more than you have and he's my best friend and I truly love him the thing is I just could never be in love with him you know what I mean? And… I don't know ,with him and Sasuke starting a family I didn't even feel right bringing up my own business when I did get to be with them so I couldn't tell them about us. I just think he would be even more hurt if he had to find out with you right in his face." She opened the door for Lee and was met with a pair of big, sad blue eyes.
Naruto didn't know what to say he was crushed. He looked a Sakura , her green eyes were wide with shock and he could see his own pathetic reflection in them. She was wearing a light yellow shirt with a navy colored skirt but his attention was caught by the group of hickey hidden beneath her pink hair. He looked over her shoulder at Rock Lee and tried not to let his emotions overwhelm him as he looked at the man with the shiny bowl cut and unbelievably caterpillar-like eye brows. He had lost and for once in his life he didn't feel like he could even fake a smile if his life depended on it.
"N-Naruto, you, did you hear I mea-"
"Yeah, I heard everything so I'll…just be leaving." He turned to leave as Sakura took his hand.
" I never wanted to hurt you Naruto I love you so much. We are family and there is no one in the world who wants to protect you and loves you more than I do! Just please, please don't hate me. I don't think I could live if I knew you did!" Naruto shook himself free and made his way back home. She tried to follow him but Lee held her back.
The house was dark when Naruto enter so he thought that he made it home before Hinata and Sasuke must have goneto bed already. He went to check up on the raven and saw him fast asleep in his bed. When he was asleep the Uchiha seemed at peace and his face was relaxed out of it's usual scowl. Naruto saw a book on the night stand and pictured Sasuke actually taking what he said seriously and reading the twins to sleep, the image made him smile even though he had a few stray tears rolling down his face because of his broken heart. He lifted the blankets and t-shirt covering Sasuke stomach and stroked it lovingly. If Sakura would never actually love him in the way she apparently did for Lee at least he could look forward to his children loving him.
His stroking of Sasuke's stomach woke the raven." Umm, what do you think your doing Naruto" He leaned over and turned on the nightstand lamp and saw the blond had been crying." Whoa, what's wrong with you? You look like heck."
Naruto hadn't stopped rubbing Sasuke's stomach while he asked, " How is it your ok with Hinata liking another guy? It hurts so bad to see the person you love wither another man. Imagining them embracing and kissing when that's where you feel you should be is the worst feeling. I loved her so much for so long I-I just don't know what to do. So Sasuke how do you deal with having to watch from the sidelines and pretend like this pain isn't so terrible?"
Sasuke had never seen Naruto this way and didn't exactly know the right thing to say yet again." I don't deal with it. I just come up with tons of reasons why we never would have worked out or think about how much happier she seems with Kiba or just ignore how bad seeing her with someone other than me makes me feel. I think about her everyday especially since she lives her and I'm all hormonal and stuff but it's ok just because it is."
"What the hell is that suppose to mean? That just sounds stupid."
"No it doesn't! What I just mean is its not ok because I feel jealous and all that other girly crap but its alright because she's happy and its not like she's taken from me or anything. I see her everyday and hang out with her and even though I want to be closer to her than I ever will be she still is my friend and that's enough I guess."
"Wow…that's the most sentimental I've ever seen you Sasuke."
"Whatever just go to bed already I'm exhausted. And now you have your kids doing summersaults so I'll never get back to sleep thanks to you. They always get overly excited when your even in the same room as I am." Sasuke snatched the blankets over his head and Naruto turned off the lamp as he took off his work clothes and squeezed himself into bed with Sasuke.
"NOW WHAT ARE YOU DOING!"
"I'm going to sleep in here you. I don't want to be alone and my room is too far away and I'm tired. Plus you get to be with the kids all the time I need some family bonding too."
"Fine just shut up your giving me a headache."
That made Naruto happy. And he snuggled up to Sasuke who didn't protest to it. Having another person in bed with him was nice. Even though Sasuke didn't get much sleep between the twins all night movement from the knowledge their father was so close by and Naruto's snoring but it was sweet the was they both ended up almost spooning so they could if on Sasuke's little bed. Even though it was cramped and Naruto smelled like grease it had more compassion than a one night stand.
