A/N: It's been a while since I last updated. Gomen nasai.

The "Naruto" series is not mine. As hard as I wish it, it doesn't happen.

Chapter 11: Theories

After about halfway through the 4th month of Hinata's pregnancy, she was not allowed to lift a finger. Kiba prepared all of their meals and took care of the household chores. By the time she reached her 7th month, she had grown exceedingly restless. Whenever she tried to help, he would gently take the broom or laundry basket from her hands, playfully scolding, "Don't strain yourself, babydoll."

"I'm fine, Kiba-kun!" she protested one day. "Lady Tsunade said…"

"She said to not overdo it," Kiba insisted. "You're taking care of two these days… and just 'cause you're through the second trimester – supposedly the toughest part - doesn't mean you can take on the world. I know you're into the 'nesting' urges now, but please rest."

Hinata smiled at how cute her fiancé was as he cited information he'd gleaned from the baby books Kurenai Sensei had lent them.

"Don't fight me on this," he entreated, placing a hand on her stomach. "I've noticed that she's been takin' a lot out of you lately."

"Well, I certainly hope he isn't as bored as I am lately while doing nothing all day," Hinata quipped, sticking out her tongue.

"Want me to read you guys a story?" Kiba asked, running his other hand through her hair.

"You don't have to if you're busy," she offered, pointing at the laundry basket he'd just taken from her and put aside.

"Are you kidding?" He pulled an old, tattered copy of The Pokey Little Puppy from the bookshelf and plopped down onto the sofa, patting the cushion beside him. "That can wait. I'll never be too busy for my girls."

"Kiba-kun…" Hinata teased, snuggling close, "You're going to give our son a complex if you keep referring to him as a girl."

"How are you so sure it's going to be a boy?" Kiba asked.

"I'm carrying him high." She indicated her stomach. "Your mother told me that's how she knew you were a boy."

"You've been craving sweets," he countered. "That's a sign it's a girl."

"I've taken to sleeping on my left side. That's a sign it's a boy."

"What do you dream about having?"

"A boy."

"Ha!" Kiba laughed triumphantly. "That means it's gonna be a girl."

"If you say so, Kiba-kun," Hinata replied, nestling closer and resting her head on his shoulder.

"Why can't we just ask Lady Tsunade?" Kiba whined. "The suspense is bugging the crap out of me."

"No," Hinata said in a lofty, dreamy voice. "I want to be surprised."

"Can I just ask her and not tell you?" he bargained.

"Kiba-kun…" she groaned in pseudo-annoyance. This was part of the reason she wanted a boy. He would have all the charming, silly and sometimes endearingly pesky quirks of his father.

"Okay… Fine," Kiba resigned, pouting, as he opened the book.