Chapter Nine
The men were on the couch in the open area beyond the open kitchen, pounding away on the poor controllers within their hands. Because I wasn't particularly paying attention to them, I didn't know exactly who was winning, but I could tell just from listening that it wasn't Sasuke. Constant grunts of 'dammit' and 'little bitch' escaped from his lips, and I was glad that Senri, Usui and Tadashi were in Naruto's old room, playing with cars and dinosaurs. At the table in between the kitchen and the loudmouth couch, Megumi and Takumi were snuggled in their own carriers, sitting across from one another so that they could amuse the other. Every so often, Sakura and I would unconsciously turn around to check and make sure that they were okay.
Then there was us: Kushina, Sakura and me, and we were slaving away within the kitchen, preparing nikujaga for our families that had come together tonight. Sakura hovered over the right countertop, cutting the potatoes with a knife that could have been a little larger. But she picked that one, already with the knowledge of the task she was going to be in charge of. To her left, my eyes watered profusely as the onion that I sliced tickled my tear ducts. I hated this job, in all honesty, but somebody had to do it, and I wasn't one to argue and make things difficult for others. Kushina stood over the stove, throwing the beef and the small ingredients into a sauce pan.
"I haven't seen you and Sasuke in such a while," Kushina said, glancing over her shoulder at Sakura, who smiled as she sliced. "How have you guys been?"
Sakura picked a bowl up from her left side and began piling the diced potatoes within it, watching as they quickly filled and overflowed the bowl. Attempting once to put them back in, only to have them avalanche back down onto the cutting board, she gave up and finished her job, turning around and leaning back on the counter. Her eyes met Kushina's as she did the same, standing to the side of the pan and keeping an eye on the simmering dish.
"We've been well," she said, stretching her shoulders backwards and compressing her scapulas. "Very, very busy since Takumi was born. I guess we could have more time to ourselves, but Takumi doesn't always sleep through the night."
Kushina chuckled, clearly understanding the dilemma of children coming between the sexual heat and passion of young lovers. I could relate, as well, wanting more time with just Naruto and me. With Megumi, though, that desire wasn't going to happen any time soon.
"I remember that frustration," Kushina said, sounding nostalgic. "When we had Naruto, it was a good year before Minato and I were able to become intimate. He took up a lot of our time, attention, and energy."
"What about you, Hina?" Sakura asked me, and my face burned brighter than the sun. I knew that we were all women who had experienced many heated passions, however forming them into words was something that I wasn't good at. It seemed as though everybody wanted to talk about sex today. I turned around, ignoring the rest of the onion that brought unwanted tears to my eyes, and I faced my best friend and mother in-law.
"We haven't had sex since we found out we were having Megumi," I said bluntly, not really knowing how to put these things into words.
"You stopped completely?!" Sakura gasped, shocked at what I thought was normal.
"You're supposed to stop having sex when you're pregnant, aren't you?" I asked, glancing back and forth between Kushina and Sakura, who exchanged glances and shook their heads simultaneously.
"No, you can have as much sex as you want. It won't harm the baby." Sakura blinked and laughed. "If that was a rule, Sasuke and I would have died from sexual deprivation. You can probably vouch for that, Hinata."
I nodded, knowing just how much my dear friends enjoyed the intimacy. While we were quiet for a moment, Kushina held out her hands, signalling for Sakura and me to sacrifice our sliced vegetables to her, so that she could toss them in the pot with the beef and ginger.
From in the other room, Naruto jumped up, cheering while Sasuke gripped patches of his hair and groaned. Minato and Itachi continued beating the keys with their thumbs, duking it out in a game that I had not seen before. I grinned at the men that were in my life, completely content with the way everything had been turning out.
My eyes caught my husband, and they hooked and latched onto him with no intention of letting go. Just watching him caused my hormones to flare up, and despite the fact that I was still sore, I wanted him. I didn't know how it was going to work, but I had to have him soon, or the sexual tension was going to be the death of me.
Instantly, my attention was diverted when I heard a thump, followed by the cries of my youngest son. As if my life depended on it, I sprinted out of the kitchen and past the table. Naruto had been ready to do the same, I could tell, but he stopped when he saw me fly by. Still, he twisted around and watched as I ran into the hall, where Tadashi was laying face down on the floor. My heart stopped, but my body kept going, and I slid to a single knee and picked him up gingerly. His tears caused my heart to sink into the pits of my stomach, and I wanted to do anything in my power to make it better.
On his forehead was a little bruise, caused by his hitting it on the hardwood floors of his grandparents' apartment. I was instantly aware of the fact that he had been running in the house, despite the fact that both Naruto and I have told him time and time again not to do it, that he was going to hurt himself. It was by the grace of the heavens that he had nothing more than a little discoloration on his forehead.
"This is why we don't run in the house," I told him, sitting down on the floor and holding my toddler in my lap. Pressing my lips to his forehead, I kissed his small child battle-wound, because for some reason, mom's kisses make everything better. And for that same reason, Tadashi quit his crying and he pressed his tiny little hands to my clavicles. A big, toothy grin spread across his face, and I couldn't help but to smile with him and touch my forehead to his. A cackle that reminded me of his grandmother emerged from his throat, and it was just as contagious as Kushina's. My heart felt warm at his obvious happiness and his childlike innocence. I couldn't possibly continue scolding him right now. He was going to have to learn the hard way and keep falling down.
Knowing that I had to part with my son for now, I lifted him off of my lap and set him down on his own two feet, smoothing out the overalls that I knew would just become wrinkled as soon as I turned my back.
"Go play with Senri and Usui," I told him, and he whirled around and took off running down the hall and to the room on his right. "And no running!" I shouted after him, knowing all too well that he would continue to do it. It's as if Naruto and I taught him how to run, forgetting to teach him the fundamentals of walking. I sighed and stood up, feeling the aching sensation in my lower body as my thighs brushed together under my healing pelvis. Taking in a sharp breath, as if attempting to relieve the pain, I stood for a moment, allowing the quick jolt of shock to pass through my body.
The moment I turned around, I caught Naruto's gaze. He hadn't turned back around, despite the fact that he probably heard Tadashi's laugh, signalling that he was okay. I smiled at him, and him at me, and we had a private conversation as I moved through the hallway.
"He's okay," I said through my eyes, and Naruto comprehended what I said with a nod, and then he raised his eyebrows and winked at me, causing me to blush as I moved through the open area of the apartment. He was so beautiful, I couldn't stand it. Simultaneously, we both turned back to our respective focuses, and I noticed Sakura crouched in front of Takumi's carrier. Kushina was behind her, bending forward with her hands on her knees, and she was making faces at the baby. As I drew near, the sound of whimpers became audible, and it was only then that I had noticed Takumi crying. Oh, I prayed to the heavens that Megumi wouldn't start; it seemed as though when one baby started crying, they all started crying.
Moving around the chairs, I stood next to Kushina and leaned forward like she was, only instead of making faces, I smiled at Takumi. For some reason, when I smiled at babies, they generally always smiled back. But Takumi was persistent in his fussiness.
Sakura groaned. "Please don't tell me you're hungry," she muttered, unstrapping her infant from within his protective chair. "You take so long to eat."
"If you want privacy and some peace and quiet, just use my room," Kushina offered her, standing up straight and pointing to the hall. "The last door on your left."
"Thanks," Sakura said, and though her tone didn't sound gracious, as mothers, both Kushina and I sensed her gratitude. "You better not make me late for dinner, you little fart. Mommy's hungry, too."
"We'll stall dinner as long as possible," the red-headed beauty beside me said before jabbing her hands to her hips and glancing at me. My eyes flickered to her, and it looked as if she were about to say something, but both of us glanced over to the guys when we heard Itachi's voice.
"Need some help?" he asked genuinely, and Sasuke's head snapped in his brother's direction, his eyebrows furrowed.
"What the hell?" Sasuke shouted, thinking his brother to be a complete pervert, and a moron, for asking such a question in his presence. Itachi placed his controller on the coffee table and stood up, shaking off Sasuke.
"With the baby, not the boobies," he said, and I could almost hear an adolescent tone in his voice, almost mocking his little brother. I guess sibling rivalry never did wear off. It would always be there, and brothers will be brothers.
Sakura stopped for a moment before entering the hallway, cradling her infant tenderly in her arms. Glancing over her shoulder, her eyes met the Uchiha brothers, and she stifled a laugh at their boyish immaturity.
"Daddy should come help with this one," she said. "I'll give you a break, Itachi." Without another word, Sakura turned back for the hall and proceeded down. In silence, Sasuke sprang from the couch and tossed his controller in his seat. An exchange of mocking faces occurred between the brothers, and he swiftly stalked his wife into Minato and Kushina's bedroom.
"Remember, Sasuke!" Naruto shouted after him, dropping his controller long enough to turn around completely on the sofa, pressing his knees into the back. He almost whacked Minato in the face with his elbow, and would have, if Minato's reflexes weren't feline-like. "You're feeding the baby, not practicing your mattress aerobics!"
"Can it, loser!" Sasuke's voice spit from the hall, and I couldn't help but to laugh at the banter. It was almost like being in high school again. You know, minus the small children frolliking about the apartment.
"You might want to check and see if Megumi is hungry right now," Kushina suggested, and I returned my attention to my mother in-law. "That way you'll be less likely to be interrupted during your own meal."
Good idea. I nodded once and moved in closer to Megumi, who watched me with the striking eyes of her father. My mouth stretched across my cheeks as I met her face to face, bending over to release the clasp on her safety belt. Her little legs kicked in excitement, as if she had been out of my arms for far too long.
"Hi, sweetie," I cooed over her as I constricted my fingers around the back of her head and underneath her butt, lifting her out of her carrier. The little headband with the bow that wrapped itself around her dark head of hair slipped upward as my fingertips brushed against it. Bringing her upwards to look her in the eye and exchange smiles with her, I pressed my lips to her small, soft forehead. Before I began moving towards the hall, I tucked Megumi between my chin and my chest, protecting her from anything the world could throw at her.
Itachi chuckled. "Do you need help?" he asked me, and my lips curled up in an awkward grin, because I wanted to laugh, but I also knew that Naruto would be throwing a jealous fit in about two seconds.
One... two...
"Hey, buddy!" Naruto jumped up off of the couch and dropped his controller in his spot next to his father. "That's my wife, not yours. Nobody helps her except for me!"
Oh, Naruto, I sighed and continued walking towards the hall, my destination being the extra room next to Naruto's. I love you.
Swiftly, he got himself to my side and wrapped an arm around my waist, claiming me as his territory. While I didn't understand his jealousy, I was almost thankful for it, because it meant that he loved me. It was what I had wanted for so long, and to finally have it now meant everything to me. If dealing with a jealous husband was the only price I had to pay for his love, then I say okay! I think Itachi could sense Naruto's envy, because I heard him snicker behind us.
Taking the first door on the right, Naruto and I entered the spare room, which hasn't changed since high school. It was still filled with bean bag chairs and futon loveseats. The small television that we used to fall asleep watching was now unplugged, and I doubt it got used anymore. This room had so many memories, some that would make me blush. It was quite possible that Usui was conceived in this room. Of course, I didn't know for sure, but the memories of the promiscuous fun Naruto and I had came fresh in my mind the moment we entered the room.
Behind me, he closed the door, and I made my way over to the navy loveseat against the wall on my left. It hadn't moved an inch since we had moved into our apartment all those years ago, which only emphasised the nostalgia coming back to me through all five senses. With steady movements, I lowered myself down and handed my daughter over to Naruto, who held her carefully as I stripped away the T-shirt I borrowed from Sakura. I could see his eyes stray away from my body and to Megumi, as if he were holding himself back from staring as I unhooked the borrowed bra that was three sizes too small. The moment I looked away, I could see my husband sneak a peek at my breasts from my peripheral vision.
"Why are you hiding the fact that you're looking?" I asked him, bringing my eyes back to his, which averted towards the other end of the room swiftly. "It's not like you've never seen them before."
Did I really just say that? That was something I had never even dreamed of saying. I've heard Sakura say it so many times, that I guess the phrase just rubbed off on me and slipped past my tongue. In complete embarrassment, my face burned bright red, and now it was me who turned away. While what I said was true, I just couldn't believe that I let the words slide out of my mouth. When the heck did I build up the confidence to say that?
Naruto chuckled, which eased the situation a little.
"I guess you're right about that one," he said, plopping easily down next to me and handing off Megumi to me. "They're bigger, maybe that has something to do with it."
"They're too big," I grumbled, feeling completely comfortable with my husband. Naruto was one of the only people in the world that I felt one hundred percent comfortable around, and that made me so happy. We're best friends and lovers. We're spouses and parents. And we're madly in love. "And they're heavy," I added, watching as Megumi latched herself onto one of my breasts.
"They're perfect," Naruto said, gazing down at our daughter. I could feel his hand press down into the material of the futon behind me as he leaned backwards on it. "They always have been, no matter what size."
"Yeah well, they could afford to lose a few pounds." I turned my eyes to meet his, and he did the same. We both exchanged little grins, and Naruto pecked my lips once, then twice. And a third time. We were quiet for a moment, letting the atmosphere swirl around inside our heads, within our senses. Quite obviously, both of us knew that we couldn't take it further than these kisses; not in front of Megumi; not while our family was outside the door; not while my body ached. However, these kisses seemed to fill the void from not being able to have sex. They weren't the heat and passion of fornication, but they were a hint of intimacy that I've been craving.
"I'm so glad I found you," Naruto whispered, and the sound of his voice engulfed my ears, filling them with the words that they so desperately wanted to hear over and over again.
I laughed lightly, softly. "Thank Psychology and the gymnasium closet."
"I do," he said, stealing another kiss from my lips. "I thank it every day. I thank God that you didn't fall in love with Sasuke."
"Why would I fall in love with Sasuke?" I asked, curious as to why Naruto would think that I would fall for the man who has become one of my best friends. I can't even think of Sasuke as anything but my best friend. A brother, perhaps, but that was as far as it went. I could never even picture myself with him in the way that Sakura is, or in the way that I am with Naruto.
"You two spend a lot of time together, and you're so much alike, and-"
"That's the problem," I said, cutting him off mid-sentence. "We're too much alike. Sakura, on the other hand, is quite opposite of him. Opposites attract, remember?"
Naruto blinked, and he caught my gaze, looking a little confused. "I thought that was only in chemistry."
My tongue flicked across my bottom lip before I spoke. "It can remain pretty true in relationships, too." And to prove my point, I leaned in and pressed my lips to his. Naruto and I; we have chemistry. We're opposite - we attract. The forces that brought us together were not mere coincidences. They were our innermost molecules, calling for one another, secretly craving one another until our souls could not stand to be away from one another any longer. Our meeting was not random, and though it was caused by the planning and actions of peers, it was not caused by the work of human hands. I do believe that it would have happened eventually - our meeting - because our spirits could no longer withstand life without the other.
We are soul mates.
