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CHAPTER 10

1 month later...

"Are you really sure that it's alright? It's been months since my last team mission not that I don't want to spend time with the kids but..." Naruto's voice trailed off as he leaned by their room's balcony doorway where Hinata was savoring the gentle and warm breeze of March. February has come and go and so did the cold winds. Now, a very pregnant Hinata was complaining about the warmth although for Naruto it was just quite alright. Her long hair swayed with the wind and Naruto can sense that she doesn't want to do this all over again. Of course, both are living at the Hyuga compound for a while but refused to live dependently. As her due date approaches, they also had little problems with their budgets and that's why Naruto's being forced on a C-ranked and high-paying mission. Although his Sensei said that he'd be appointing ANBUs and some of Konoha 12 like Neji or Lee to keep an eye around, he couldn't help but worry.

"Naruto-kun, we've talked about this. I'll be fine." She told him, turning to his direction with a smile painted on her face.

"But it's a five-day mission Hina-chan." He whines as if he's going to be out for a few months.

"You should go. I promise not to force you to any missions after this. The kids also miss you Naruto-taicho." She said so willingly. He sighs.

"Fine Uzumaki-san. You win." He said as his last attempt of changing her mind was vanquished. Hinata smiled at what he called her.

"Be careful okay?" She said, cupping his cheeks as Naruto nodded.

"I love you, Hinata, Bolt. Daddy will be back before you know it. So for now, don't tire your Mommy too much okay?" He said, a hand fiddling with her hair and the other on her tummy. His other hand moved from her hair to her face and he gently kissed her lips.

"I'll be going then." He said blankly, putting his jounin vest and left his sage coat hanging on his shoulder. He grabbed his backpack and stood by the doorway to catch one final glimpse of her before he left for his mission.

Naruto came up to the Hokage's Mansion and saw the blue haired only girl of his team by the gates. 'Miyuki looks very prepared. I guess they are training hard...' He thought, slowly approaching the girl who wore a short blue green kimono-like top, a cream three-fourths and a usual dark open-toed sandals.

"Ta-i-cho, if you're gonna do a surprise attack on me do it seriously." She said, turning to Naruto who smirked in return. 'They grew indeed.'

"I went easy on you." He said as he suddenly caught two kunais between his fingers. It came from either side of him. "Not bad." He commented before dropped them. 'Using Miyuki as bait then attacking from the opposite directions huh?'

"If you thought I was bait, you are wrong Naruto-sensei." She remarked pulling him to a genjutsu.

"Kai!" Naruto immediately called out before it could grip him. The girl's genjutsu is a jutsu that even Naruto doesn't want to meddle with. "I called you out for a mission, not for training." He reminded them as Ryoko revealed himself, and as Hitoshi walked out coolly in the open, hands in his pockets while Miyuki held a kunai to his sensei's throat. Naruto was sure he heard Ryoko murmur 'sharp eyes' again and sighed. 'Here it goes again…' "Miyuki… put the kunai down. We'll be late for our briefing." And she did as she was told.

"How about that, Sensei!" Ryoko remarked. Their sensei had to admit that yes, if the topic is about teamwork, its working better now.

"Yes. That was a great performance and I can see that you're teamwork has improved." He said before turning to the boys. "Congratulations on that." He remarked with a smirk that Hitoshi let out an 'Hmp' while Ryoko was obviously gritting his teeth. "Oy oy, enough about that. Hokage-sama is waiting for us; you know much he hates tardiness." And his team nodded. They went in and of course without even knocking.

"Domo!" Naruto remarked. 'Such a bad habit….' Kakashi thought, sighing as he was the only one who had this habit of welcoming himself without even knocking the door.

"Naruto, do you know the word 'knock'?" And Naruto only gave him a sly grin to which he sighed to. Rummaging to the papers he looked for the paper where their mission details would be.

"Your mission is a five-day team exchange project from the Sand." Kakashi said as she read the scroll. "Kazekage-sama had specially picked you and you're team to assist them in the upcoming joint training event there. In exchange, Kankuro and his team will be here to assist us with our border surveillance and as you know we need more info about what happened at Frost… And maybe it has some connection to the threat to you and your family." He said, explaining every detail.

"I know I know…" He sighed. As much as he wanted Hinata and Bolt to be safe, he also doesn't want to leave them for a few days. (NA. Yes. He's so overprotective isn't he? But don't you think it's cute? I mean Naruto's Daddy jitters is :3)

"He said that he also wants to talk about something." Then continued immediately before Naruto can snap in. "That... I do not know." Well, he and Gaara had really been close and this is one of the times that he orders him in the Sand for trainings or other important things. "Naruto, I know you're worried about Hinata's safety but you have my word that she'll be guarded. Concentrate on your mission then come back as fast as you can."

"Hai, Sensei. Arigatou." He remarked, slightly bowing to their Lord Hokage then turned to his team. "You heard him, kids. Let's go." Naruto said as the kids bowed before leaving the room. The walk leaving Konoha was awkwardly silent. The three genins had wisely closed their yaps sensing Naruto is thinking about a lot of things. They know that Hinata is just a month away from her due date and they know their Sensei has a lot on his mind. Surprisingly, Naruto abruptly stopped at the gates and turned to them, his Sage coat fluttering with the movement.

"I know that I'm a little bit off for a while now and I know you know why. Don't worry though, this will be over soon. To tell you what, I'll train you after this mission. And when I mean training, I mean training." Ryoko knew what his Sensei meant and he can't help but grin at him, his amber eyes gleaming brightly.

"Now that's a reward! Sensei, you'll be teaching me some new jutsus right?" He said as his chakra nature is like Naruto's. He's on the progress of mastering Rasengan but was interrupted when he started to rarely accept missions.

"Yes. I owe you with that." He said with a smile. Miyuki couldn't help but be assured that his Sensei is getting back to his normal and cheerful self. She smiled as Hitoshi hid his little smile by looking up the skies.

"Now enough with the chitchat, oh, may I ask if this is your first time visiting Suna?"

"Yup." "Yes."

"I'll warn you then. The trip is dusty, hot and sweaty." Naruto said jokingly although it's true. He was also sure he heard Ryoko groan. "Shall we?" And they made their first step outside, after a few minutes of walking, they found themselves hurrying and pacing towards Suna.

As expected the trip to the Sand is very much uncomfy for the first timers. They complained about how hot it is and how sweaty they got. But at least they didn't encounter a sandstorm. For first timers, they are good. The mission didn't feel like an inter-village activity involving young genins of the Leaf. Hokage-sama often sends out young first timers to ready them while it's still early. He also often sends them out to expose them to inter-village relations. They'll be here for five 'long' days to train and to train with the young genins of the Sand. When they arrived they were accompanied to the Kazekage's mansion and they we're greeted by the young Kazekage.

"Ojama shimasu, Kazekage-sama" Naruto said with the utmost respect and politeness that made his team suspect that he is actually afraid of the Kazekage.

"Naruto, don't be so formal." He said as he sat looking out the window and was absolutely alone in his office. His robes were hanged on his chair and his hat was settled on a table by the side containing some pictures of his family. His red top was the only thing visible as he only showed his back.

"C'mon Gaara. I wouldn't be a good model if I did that." He said with a smirk as Gaara turned his chair and faced them. He might be at the same age as Naruto but there was a sense of maturity in his voice and the way he moves. The effect of being Kazekage on a young age, Naruto thought.

"I see you've come with a team. And I'm sorry if I picked you and your team but I have important things to discuss with you." The kids heard him gulp which means serious business. "Accompany your team to the training grounds then come back here. There are some things we need to get over with."

"Hai Kazekage-sama."He said before heading towards the door.

"Naruto-sensei, I get the feeling that the two of you are good friends." Miyuki said, stating what's inside her head.

"Well yes. I've been through what he did, that's why we understand each other." He said with a warm voice, remembering how things went with Gaara and how they came to understand each other's pain.

"But Sensei, why is the atmosphere so tensed back there?" Ryoko asked.

"That's the Kazekage. Who wouldn't be tensed? It's not like Kakashi-sama that we can joke around you know!" Hitoshi remarked that made Ryoko's blood boil again. 'Why would Ryoko always heat up at Hitoshi's words? It's becoming a headache!' Naruto thought as he shook his head.

"Let me just get you to the training grounds you three." He said rolling his eyes as he did.

"But what are we supposed to do there Sensei?" Hitoshi surprisingly asked, he didn't really bother to join conversations like this before.

"Well… It depends… Might be joint trainings or team versus team trainings or you'd facilitate trainings or something. Last time I've been here, hmmm… I think they we're having team versus team training. You'd be lucky if you'd be able to participate too. It's a good experience." He said as they reached the grounds. There were some kids lined up and a shinobi of the Sand approached them as they stood a few meters from the group.

"Naruto-san?"

"That's me. I'll be leaving my genins in your hands. Kazekage-sama wants to talk to me."

"Hai!" He said before giving out the orders. "Alright! Now that everyone is here, we'll be having team exercises before we have team versus team battles. You ready?"

"HAI!" And with that Naruto left the training grounds. He was sure Ryoko would be pleased with team versus team battles but exercises? He wasn't really sure. He took the time to walk back to Gaara's office thinking deeply, hands in his pockets. 'I know he means business but what kind of business? And this time of the year? Hope it doesn't delay me too much.' He was before the door before he even knew it. He was unsure of what Gaara will say but he knocked anyway. He was standing before the Kazekage and there's nothing he can do to dodge it. Gaara let him in silently, only observing his movements as he made his way to the room.

"So… what's this about?" He asked impatiently, propping himself at one of the chairs before the Kazekage's working desk. Compared to Lady Tsunade's desk back in the day, it was quite empty and only a few papers were stacked.

"I've heard from Hokage-sama that you've received some sort of threat a few months ago… or so I've been told."

"Yes. Is there some connection to it that you wanted to talk to me and summon me here personally?" He said, bracing himself for his response. If it is, it's serious trouble that it'll worry him and just makes him more eager to finish his mission and go home at top speed. Gaara clasped his hands and rested his chin on it before he answered.

"I don't know if it has, but there's a possibility." Naruto let out a disgusted sigh before Gaara continued. "And we have to discuss it."

"Let's get on with it then."

"Let's start with the Cold Siege that happened a few months ago." Gaara said as Naruto's brow rose with a questioning look. "It's a very uncommon siege solved in a very uncommon way."

"Yeah. The news about it was all over places. It's a local dispute within the village right? But I did wonder why it was the talk of every village…"

"Do you think someone was purposely spreading the news? To catch so much attention from different shinobi villages?" Gaara said, voicing out his thoughts.

"Wait, are you saying we fell right into their trap?" The blonde's eyes widen.

"I have thought of that and we might have. Remember, every Kage sent their best shinobi's there on the worry that another war might break out, making the villages a little more vulnerable. Maybe claiming the Land of Frost wasn't their main objectives afterall…" The Kazekage paused as Naruto slowly digested the ideas.

"Have you told the other Kages about this Kazekage-sama?" He asked as Gaara shook his head lightly, making Naruto lean on the chair he was sitting on and let out an irritated sigh. "Why tell me first?"

"As Kazekage, I have asked myself, why would they want everyone's attention? Remember the incident with the Akatsuki. Their objectives aren't only for the tailed beasts but for Madara's resurrection as well. No matter how prepared we are evil will always find a way to lurk where you thought it's safe. I have told you this info to warn you, and thinking about what Hokage-sama told me I figured that I'd share this to you first before anyone else." He paused. "And I give you my permission to go back to Konoha as soon as possible or as soon as you want."

"With all due respect Kazekage-sama, I refuse." He said mildly although Gaara knew that there was a tang of longing in his tone. "I promised the kids, my genins that I will be alright even just for this mission, this last mission before Hina-chan gives birth. Kakashi-sensei has also promised me that they will keep an eye on her and I trust them. I don't want to ruin their efforts just because of my worries." With that Gaara sighed.

"Very well. Have it your way." Was all Gaara said. He has matured but still stubborn, he thought as Naruto bowed before leaving the room.

"So Sensei, I've heard that the Kazekage summoned ya after we got to the training grounds. What's up?" Ryoko asked, wiping his damp brown hair. His torso exposed as his towel topped his head. Miyuki suddenly threw him some of his clothes. "Dress up. Now. Are you forgetting that there's a girl here with you?!" She said angrily as her face was decorated with a slight reddish color. Whether it's from embarassment, fan girling (Ina: Wait, you have a crush for Ryo-kun, Miyu-chan? :3) or anger they wouldn't really have the courage to ask. They were staying at some sort of a little house/quarters and so they had no choice but to be like this for five consecutive days.

"Okay okay! Seriously, girls are too touchy." Ryoko said, mumbling the last sentence to himself as he hurriedly put on a blue shirt. "So back to the question sensei, how did it go?"

"Well... I can't say much but... Hey! Whatever Kazekage-sama said is not for you kids!"

"Damn. So close." He said, clicking his tongue.

"But Sensei isn't that one of the reasons why we're here?" Hitoshi asked as he sat cross-legged on his bed.

"That's right. But the info is very confidential and the more you don't know, the safer you are. You're still kids and I don't want to risk your safety dattebayo!" Naruto said with a wink. "No more further questions on the matter. Let's go get some dinner! I'm starving!" That made his team smile. Their Sensei never failed to cheer them up although they were all tired travelling and even being assigned to their duties at another village.

"Os!" They all said gleefully.

The team went out after a few minutes. Naruto wore his sage coat over his usual jounin outfit as it was a little chilly. Miyuki wore a long-sleeved top while Ryoko wore a scarf on his neck and Hitoshi just stuck his hands in his pockets for warmth. Unlike in Konoha, the food stalls are all inside since the sand might be a problem. They went in a not so full resto and sat down the counter table.

"So what do you guys want?" Naruto asked them as he himself checked the menu for some ramen.

"Uhmm… I'd have some usual dinner bento." Miyuki said, tired.

"I'd have some ramen!"

"I'd go for a bowl of rice with pork please."

"And for me, I'd also go for some extra large ramen." They said as the man on the counter nodded in response to their orders. They've been hungry alright and also tired at that. Naruto was even more tired than they were. Even if he wasn't assigned to assist the young genins of Suna – which should've been more tiring – he was tired of thinking things through. What's keeping him together is his promise that he won't be shattered by his worries and that's it. Hell yeah, it's the first outside mission of his kids and he must be at full support. After a few more minutes their dinner was served and they continued their happy-go-lucky night as they savored their dinner.

~End of Chapter 10~

Sorry for the late update! There's a lot going at school lately, ugh. Anyway! I've been also thinking of switching to Uzumaki. What do you guys think? Naruto is known to be Uzumaki Naruto anyway, but he also has to right to use Namikaze… I'm soooooooo confused on that part xD

Anyway! I hope you're satisfied with this chap. Last part is kinda rushed though. (Gomenasai! *bows*)

And of course, for those who reviewed! I'm here to serve virtual cupcakes today! Don't have cookies anymore :P

Ayrmed – Thanks! *heart eyes*

TheMagicManWithThePlan – I thought of that too. And now I think I'll be switching it back. Hmm… xD

LesMislover2013 – Thanks! Here's another treat :3

ShadowPhoenix22 – Really? I was planning for a baby girl at first too. But I found my first draft where they had a baby boy then followed it :3

kika04 – Yup. I wonder who he'll look like. Hmmm

*EDITED 11/9/14