It wasn't until much later that night that any developments about the situation made it's way to Naruto. He was waiting impatiently at the Uchiha compound with his fussy new baby. He looked down at his infant now, and smiled sadly. Tears welled up in his eyes as the tiny baby boy reached out for him. Soon, in the next few years, he'll be reaching out for Sasuke, too. And the way thinsg were going, he doubted the raven haired young man would be there for his son.

The door swung open suddenly, and Naruto lay his baby down next to his cousin in the crib they shared. He ran to the front door, and there, standing in the archway, was Hyuuga Neji. He was covered in blood, and he looked like he was injured. Naruto covered his mouth with a shaking hand.

"Is he…dead?" He whispered.

Neji shook his head. "No, but he escaped. He said he was going to Orochimaru. That's who possessed me, Naruto. If you hadn't stopped me when you did by getting him to confess…they never would have caught him in time. He got his hands on the Yamanaka's Mind Transfer technique. You know that I would never…Hinata-chan." He turned to his little cousin. "You know I would never speak to you like that…or do those things. I would never choose the clan over you, or Naruto-kun. I left them…I don't know why I'm not dead. I Don't know why they didn't activate my curse seal."

Hinata smiled knowingly. "They knew you'd come here. Neji, I'm the only one who can activate your curse seal. They never told you, because they wanted you to stay fearful and obedient." She looked disgusted.

Naruto could do nothings but stare at the young man.

"You risked death for us?" He whispered.

"Twice for you, Naruto-kun. The Uchiha very well could have killed me. He's gotten very powerful from his travels. But just the thought of leaving you and your baby alone…it kept me fighting. It kept me alive." The pale-eyed man reached out and brushed his fingertips across the bruise on Naruto's cheek. "It's despicable, the thought that he could strike the one who loves him. The one who bore his child. Some of us would die to possess those things." Came his gentle voice.

Naruto blushed. "Come on, Neji. Let's get you cleaned up. I want you to meet Kouhei."

Xxx

Once Neji had been patched up and donned a clean white yukata, Naruto brought him to the nursery. Hinata and Itachi had brought Kaiya to their room, so little Kouhei was all alone in the crib. Naruto lifted him up. He was still drowsy from him nap. Naruto proudly handed him to Neji, and the gentle fist specialist didn't know what to say. He was breathless. The infant had a tiny patch of fine blonde hair, and when his squinty eyes finally opened, they were the color of a summer sky. He looked just like a tiny little Naruto.

"He's…amazing." Neji finally managed to speak. Naruto smiled.

"He's my pride."

Xxxx

Naruto and Neji were getting ready to go to bed. The Hyuuga would be staying in the compound now, and until the rest of the houses had been renovated, Naruto offered to put him up. It was the least he could do.

"Naruto-kun…you know that I will say right? I won't abandon you, or your son." Neji said, the darkness of Naruto's bedroom giving him confidence.

"Neji, what are you saying?" Naruto replied. The Hyuuga sat up in his bedroll, turning to face the blonde.

"I'm saying that…I want to be here for you and Kouhei. I want to protect you. Support you. Do everything that he failed to do." He scooted closer to Naruto, pushing their bedrolls together. Naruto turned his head away.

"He didn't fail to love me, Neji. He d-did…" He trailed off, closing his eyes. Neji reached out to touch the blonde's bruised cheek again.

"Naruto, I would never strike you. I would never speak to you with anger in my voice. I would love you unconditionally. I can give you peace…tranquility…I can give you happiness."

Happiness…

"And what about Kouhei? I have baggage, Neji. I just gave birth to another man's child not twenty four hours ago!" Naruto exclaimed. Neji smiled softly, brushing Naruto's hair off his forehead.

"He is a part of you. He is precious to me. I love him, and I will protect him. I will give him guidance…I will be the father mine never got to be." He whispered into the night.

Naruto was at a loss for words. Neji was offering to be a father to his son? He wanted to replace Sasuke? But…

"Why?" Came Naruto's weak reply.

The Hyuuga slowly pulled the other man against his chest, holding him like her was made of glass.

"Because I love you, Naruto-kun. You changed my perception of destiny. You gave me the strength to defy my clan…to break free of my cage. Thanks to you, Naruto-kun…I can fly." The older man whispered into Naruto's ear.

"You can stay…but, Neji…" He didn't want to say this, but he had to be honest. "Neji, I don't know if I can love you."

Neji smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. Sadness was making its home in his opal orbs.

"Just to be near you…that is enough."

They fell asleep in each others arms.