CH 20 - Declaration

A/N: It. Has. Come. Yes. My faithful followers. The event you've all been waiting for… has come.

The ride to their new home was tense and quiet. Other than the pups' occasional whimpers and mewls they were also quiet. Sasuke kept his hands interlocked with Naruto's but they weren't speaking to each other. Shikamaru and Kiba seemed to be trying to be respectfully quiet but Kiba was fidgeting with the effort it took. The house was only 15 minutes away, a bit more than 20 on foot, and even though that wasn't long at all the omega felt the need to break the silence. "Well the pups are almost six months old now. I think I should start weaning them. What do you think Naruto?"

"Huh?" Naruto asked clearly distracted.

"What? Why?" Shikamaru quested turning to his mate.

"I didn't hear!" Naruto piped up.

"I just think it's time to start weaning them. They're getting old enough I think. They're not really drinking from the bottle we make unless they're really hungry and I don't think that's enough."

Shikamaru turned to him fully, a frown on his face, "It's too early. Why would you even consider that?"

Kiba shrugged, "I wasn't breastfed at all. I don't think it's ever too early to wean but that might be a mongrel tradition."

Shikamaru sighed heavily, "you're not a mongrel Kiba…"

"There's nothing wrong with being a mongrel." Naruto interjected firmly and Sasuke nodded in agreement. Kiba grinned at them both.

"Putting that aside. I think it's way too early. Tradition dictates to natural feed for at least two years."

"Two years?!" Kiba and Naruto exclaimed.

"You're not serious…" Naruto scoffed lightly. "Sasuke can you believe this guy?"

Sasuke shrugged a bit, "I was breastfed until I was three…" Now it was Kiba and Naruto's turn to gape. "I was… the Uchiha way promotes breastfeeding as much as possible. I could fully walk and talk when I was three so my mother weaned me then."

"Same in the Nara clan. Mothers breastfeed for two or more years to ensure the brain fully develops. I can't believe you weren't breastfed." Shikamaru said shaking his head.

"Well… I'm an orphan so…" Naruto drummed his fingers on Sasuke's knuckles as he spoke.

"And my mum was a slut so…" Kiba said looking off to the side. "Well I guess bar lady is a better term but whatever," he shrugged but he smelled sad.

"I- I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend…" Shikamaru apologised nosing at Kiba's ear.

"I'm not offended. I'm kinda glad." At Shikamaru's raised brow he clarified, "I mean yea I'm sad I don't know who my dad is or whatever but I'm glad that you have traditions. That we have some guidelines on how to raise our kids. That's why I slept with you in the first place." Sasuke's eyes widened at that and Naruto nudged him in the side.

"Sasuke don't be rude!" Naruto scolded.

"I'm not! I just didn't know they had sex without being bonded first… I was surprised is all."

"Yea well not everyone was afraid like Naruto." Kiba stuck his tongue out at his blonde friend who blushed hotly.

"Please, I'm getting second hand embarrassment. I don't want to think about my teenage years."

Kiba cackled for a full minute before he sobered up, "yea well… Shika was the best person to get accidentally pregnant for. He has morals and stuff. Best kind of alpha out there," He smiled up at his mate and kissed his chin. "You fell short Naruto." Kiba said shaking his head sadly. Naruto rolled his eyes at him and kicked his shin.

"I'm fine with the alpha I got thank you very much. Not everyone can be amazing like Shikamaru but I'll do with what I can get." Sasuke spluttered and Shikamaru blushed like a school boy. "I'm kidding. I'm kidding!" He giggled when Sasuke poked him hard in his side.

"I think I need to get a new omega…" Sasuke muttered with a pout.

"No…!" Naruto whined as he pushed his head up under Sasuke's neck. Sasuke buried his nose into Naruto's soft hair and inhaled deeply. They pack's scent was all around them now and it had started to seep into Naruto's own natural scent but it was still off somehow. The mugwort wasn't apart of his skin nor was the orphanage where he grew up. Naruto probably couldn't tell but the faint smell of his uncle that had also been on his skin for so long because of pack bonds was also gone. He hoped that if Naruto decided to work again then the smell of the shop would work it's way into his scent again.

Those scents were all uniquely Naruto and even though he was glad that his and Naruto's scents were mixed and mingling so nicely it still felt incomplete.

"Sasuke we're here," Naruto mumbled nudging him away gently as he moved.

"Home sweet home," Kiba sighed. As the omega of the house he probably missed his house the most. He probably felt the safest here and he hoped that the same would be said of Naruto later on. He really wanted to give Naruto a safe and secure environment to live in.

While Naruto and Kiba brought the pups inside Sasuke and Shikamaru unloaded all their belongings from the carriage and carried them inside to deposit them off to the side. "I'm starving what about you?"

"Yea me too but I can't really cook…"

"Me either… do you want to call Naruto to prepare something?"

"I don't want to bother him. Maybe he and Kiba could lay down and relax for a while. I've seen Naruto make some pretty tasty stews I'm sure we can replicate that."

"Please don't burn my kitchen down…" Kiba muttered as he came down the hall in a new dress, a dark brown with red flowers all over it. "I'm tired but not that tired. Sasuke you go help Naruto with the pups and Shika and I will make some grub."

"Are you sure…?" Sasuke asked worriedly. He didn't want to bring it up but Kiba was sporting the beginnings of dark circles under his eyes.

"I'd feel better if you rested for a bit. You're always on your feet lately. You should be in bed." Shikamaru commented as he came up beside his mate and placed one hand on the small of his back and the other on his pudgy stomach.

Kiba laughed and wiggled out of Shikamaru's grasp as he went to pull flour out of the cupboard. "There's nothing in my belly anymore Shik."

"Force of habit."

Kiba tilted his head back to grin at his mate over his shoulder. "You're cute. It's nice to know you care but I am fine. Now shoo Sasuke."

Sasuke nodded to the omega, it was his house, before he left in search of his mate. He found Naruto in the bathroom doubled over the sink and puking. "Naruto!" he rushed forward in alarm.

Naruto coughed into the sink before he rinsed his mouth and wiped it on the back of his hand, "I'm okay. Just… my stomach has been upset lately…" he jerked his chin to the overturned cup by the tub. "I drank some more tea, I thought maybe if I sipped it it would stay down but," he shrugged, "it didn't."

"D-do you think Chiyo is doing something to you?" He murmured darkly and Naruto sighed heavily. Even though he drank it and nothing happened to him he couldn't rule out the possibility that whatever was affecting Naruto was only omega centered.

"No. Chiyo wouldn't hurt me," he cleared his throat and wiped the corners of his mouth before he took Sasuke's hand in his and led him out into the pup's room. They had more or less settled down in bed and were now staring up at the mobiles hanging above each of their bassinets. "I think this is Tsunade's handiwork."

"What?"

"She said something to me, when I was there, something about needing me healthy. They bled me and made me sweat like crazy…" Sasuke grimaced his hand tightening around Naruto so the omega leaned against his alpha in a show of support. They both needed it. "I don't think the Mugwort will work anymore Sasuke. They want me to get pregnant. I can't take anything to stop it anymore…" Naruto whispered. "My heat has come and gone and even though we can't tell yet I think we should at least think about it... y'know… the possibility that I'm already…" He shrugged but he was looking down now, his hand hovering above his stomach but not touching it.

Sasuke nodded, even though Naruto couldn't see, and swallowed thickly. Yes he had thought of it but he had been praying that it wouldn't have taken. Maybe there was a god out there that liked them very much and had decided to take pity on them and protect them.

Their luck hasn't been kind lately though.

"Sasuke… you said we wouldn't get rid of it right… but… what will we do…? I want…" Naruto swallowed and licked his lips, his eyes tearing up. His scent thick with desperation and sorrow but underneath that, just a bit, just barely tickling his nose, was hope. Hope for what though Sasuke couldn't tell.

"No-" he stopped to clear the lump in his throat, "We'll protect our litter until our last breaths. Even if… even if you are." He couldn't bring himself to say the word. "We will do everything we can as their parents to protect them. Everything," he reiterated. He pulled Naruto into a hug and squeezed him tight.

"Until I can keep the tea down again should we maybe not mate?" Naruto mumbled in his shoulder.

"We already had heat sex."

"I know… but maybe it didn't take. It's not always guaranteed." Naruto pulled away to gaze into his alpha's eyes as he waited for an answer.

"I'll do whatever it is you decide to do. We're in this together, you and I." Naruto gave him a small tentative smile before he leaned in to gently press his lips against Sasuke's.

000

Living with Shikamaru, Kiba and four pups was a new experience for Sasuke. The first 8 years of his life were spent in the Uchiha compound where he was surrounded by family constantly. Then his family had gone off to war and his bright days had dulled considerably and then the teenagers were also taken away. His brother had been the only thing he looked forward to seeing everyday and when he couldn't see him anymore then his whole demeanor had changed. He was gloomy, moody and dark. It didn't help with the constant surveillance from Tsunade and her goons and whenever he tried to leave the village they'd beat him til he couldn't walk. Orochimaru was everywhere too, telling him how much he desired him. How he wanted his body, how Sasuke was the only hope left for the future and that he owned the Uchihas.

Resentment had grown in him over the years turning him bitter and angry at the world until he encountered Naruto again but this time a mature omega who always seemed to be smiling even though his life wasn't amazing in it's own right. Somewhere along the line his lust had turned into affection and he'd found himself drawn to the blonde in a way he'd promised himself never to be.

Orochimaru had already taken the lives of his family, and now he learned that Chiyo had had a hand in that as well, he didn't want to endanger anyone. Put anyone in harm's way if he wasn't positive he could protect them.

Now though, as they sat at the dinner table, a board game set down in the center and Kiba fuming that everyone was out to get him, Sasuke tossed his head back and laughed out loud. Joined by Naruto who was pressed up against his side and Shikamaru and Kiba on the other side of the table. Shikamaru smirking behind his fist as Kiba grumbled and groused. The mood reminded him of home, he felt warm and comforted, though that might be the alcohol settling in his stomach. He was happy. He was actually happy. For the first time since he was a teenager Sasuke was truly content.

Naruto bumped their shoulders together and Sasuke looked over at him, his heart pounding in his chest as Naruto seemed to glow in the candlelight. He was grinning at Kiba as he rolled the dice and moved his piece to just two squares behind Shikamaru's own piece. Two squares from killing it and sending it back to Shikamaru's corner and forcing him to start over from the beginning. Kiba groaned out loud and Naruto laughed. His cheeks were flushed from drinking, his hair was bright and soft, his eyes glassy and bright. Naruto looked carefree and young. And happy. He looked and smelled wonderful and Sasuke desired him.

There was a sheet of arousal hanging over the table. Neither alphas mentioned it or made any move to end the game prematurely. Sasuke suspected that Shikamaru was trying to make it easy for Naruto and himself. They were abstaining from sex. Today was day 4, tomorrow would be day 5. Then the day after that and so on until Naruto's body stopped rejecting the Mugwort. He hoped, the reason for abstinence was getting foggier and foggier with each cup of liquor.

None of them could tell how long that would be but Sasuke hoped it would be soon. He wasn't the only one feeling deprived. This morning he awoke to Naruto grinding against him. He used his hand to take care of his mate and himself but it wasn't enough. They both wanted to knot but neither would say it. It would just make things unnecessarily heated.

"You people won't let me win!" Kiba complained for the 5th time causing everyone to laugh.

"It's the dice Kiba. They hate you!" Naruto laughed behind his hand as he raised his glass to his lips. It was almost empty.

"No It's you people!" He growled as he pointed to each person, "You're all praying to kill me. Sasuke roll." Kiba demanded.

"Alright, alright," Sasuke chuckled as he scooped up the dice and shook them in his palm.

"If you get a six I'm going to kill you. I promise." Kiba threatened lowly as Shikamaru snorted beside him. The dice rolled to a stop, one on four on the other on five. "Hah! There is a god!" Kiba cackled as he moved Sasuke's piece to their place.

"Not even going to let me do it?" Sasuke asked as he chuckled.

"No need!" Kiba waved him off, downed his cup of juice and wiped the juice mustache off with the sleeve of his dress. They played relatively loudly for the rest of the afternoon until they each gave in one by one. Kiba was too competitive and despite being a mated pair Shikamaru refused to let Kiba win and kept strategically sacrificing pieces as well as killing others off.

"So... are we going to call it a night?" Shikamaru taunted, his mean side peeking out. "Or do you want to lose some more?" Shikamaru smirked at his seething mate as he rested his chin on his elbow propped on the table.

"You... you..." Kiba snarled and pulled Shikamaru into a fierce and heated kiss. The sound of sucking and their teeth clinking together audible to the couple on the other side of the table but the Nara's were unconcerned.

Shikamaru chuckled, "still think you can win?" he murmured against Kiba's lips but the omega laughed heartily and a little spitefully too.

"No..." he drawled as he patted Shikamaru's thigh. "But neither are you." He smirked deviously as he got up and left the table. Naruto was just breaking down in giggles as Shikamaru started to splutter.

"Kibs!" He called after his mate who was deliberately swaying his hips as he walked away. "Kibs!" Shikamaru tried again but the omega just threw a saucy smile over his shoulder as he kept walking. "I'll see you both tomorrow," Shikamaru absently waved to them as he got up and hurried after his mate.

Sasuke thought it was a very stereotypical scene. A horny alpha chasing after an omega that was trying to seduce them. He laughed at the thought. Naruto sidled closer to him and cooed, a sound Naruto usually saved for the throes of heat, and it went straight to his groin. It was probably the alcohol muddling his thoughts but Naruto looked especially appetizing this afternoon.

Naruto cooed again and cuddled up to his side and Sasuke caved. How long had it been since he held his mate? He deserved a reward! "Want me...?" he slurred as he rubbed his nose against Naruto's. Naruto cooed again and pressed as close to his alpha as he could so they could kiss again. Getting to their room was a flurry of kissing and groping but they somehow got there. The rest of the night was a blur.

"Wake up!" Naruto slapped his shoulder hard and he jolted awake. His head throbbed as he sat up too quickly and he groaned loudly.

"What is it?" The curtains were too thin, there was so much sunlight streaming in that he couldn't see past the blur of grim in his eyes. "Naruto what's wrong?" he laid back down and covered his face with his hand. It was too early to talk. "Come lay down with me," he slowly felt for his mate with his free hand but Naruto slapped him again.

"Open your eyes! Look what you did!" He did, slowly he opened his eyes and tried to find the object of his mate's early morning ire. His vision improved slowly but his headache didn't. He found Naruto sitting up in the bed the covers bundled up over his naked lower half, his back was bare and dotted with fading kiss marks. Sasuke blinked slowly at them.

"What's wrong?" He slurred, still out of it. He'd drunk too much last night. He was swearing off drinking for the near foreseeable future.

"What do you mean? I thought we weren't going to mate until I could keep the Mugwort down dammit Sasuke!" Naruto swore and Naruto swearing was enough to wake the alpha up fully.

He propped himself up on his elbows and frowned at the blonde. "It's takes two to tango Naruto," Sasuke defended. "I may not remember much about last night but I do know that you weren't exactly fighting me on it..."

Naruto at least at the decency to look ashamed for a full 3 seconds before he puffed up his cheeks, tossed the sheets off and stalked off to the bathroom. Sasuke rolled his eyes at the moody blonde before he dropped down onto his back and groaned. Today was going to be a long day...

000

It actually was a long day. A long day of pouting and kisses and playful hip bumps that were very un-Naruto-like and the change in his mood from this morning to now was a little disconcerting and Sasuke was wondering if he should prepare for a storm tonight when they went to bed.

Naruto and Kiba acted as if they were teenagers again. They went everywhere and did everything together. They gossiped about what they knew about the townspeople, mostly from Kiba's end since new pups in the village were almost everyone's business, even though it really wasn't. Even when they napped they cuddled up on the smell bed in the nursery and slept there. It was an adorable sight and as a plus there was a boost in the feel good pheromones that only the most contented of omegas could give off. It made Shikamaru and Sasuke feel light on their feet and powerful and the kids were in a good mood all the time if they weren't wet or hungry. They were also very active and very cute. Sasuke couldn't helping toting one of them around on his hip all day.

When night came and the omegas separated and dragged their alphas to bed, Sasuke was expecting something, maybe to talk about the mugwort or their accidental drunken mating but maybe Naruto was just as drugged up on the pheromones because he simply crawled into Sasuke's arm and dozed off almost immediately. Sasuke smiled down at him and dragged his nose along Naruto's nape up to the smooth hairs at the base of his head before his lids fell heavy and he drifted off.

They sank into a system after that. Shikamaru and Sasuke did all the handiwork and heavy lifting. Shikamaru went into town if there was a need for anything and Sasuke stayed to guard the pack and vice versa. Naruto and Kiba mostly cooked and cared for the pups. They'd occasionally clean, maybe knit if they were especially bored but they mostly mended already old clothes. They all came together when it came to tending the small garden the alphas had build outside. Shikamaru knew the basics of growing some herbs and succulent plants but otherwise they were all very knew at this. Naruto especially loved tending to the garden. He would spend hours tiling more ground to expand it and planting seeds, watering and checking for parasites.

Sasuke would sit in one of the chairs on the patio and just watch his mate labour away. He was also guarding the blonde but since he could hear just as well inside the house he was content on just watching his mate. It especially pleased him when Naruto would bend over in his pants and his ass would be perfectly placed on display. Naruto had caught him licking his lips once.

"Sasuke could you bring me some juice?" Naruto asked as he stood up and wiped his gloves on the back of his forehead.

"Sure," He got up and scanned the surroundings once more before he went inside.

Naruto watched his alpha leave before he turned to look at his lettuce and spinach that were blooming beautifully. He'd taken a chance and asked Sasuke to get him some seeds but he hadn't expected that it would turn out so well. He'd known that they would grow quickly but he had no idea how quickly.

Naruto was fluffling the leaves of his spinach when he heard the rapid sound of footsteps. Terrified that Tsunade was coming to finish him off he dropped his watering can and raced for the house, screaming Sasuke's name. He foot barely touched the first step before Sasuke appeared before him. Tall and dark he lept elegantly over Naruto's head and crouched ready to attack. His ears swivelling back and forth as he listened. Shikamaru came out next, ears trained forward and eyes Naruto. His claws looked wickedly sharp and curved at the tips.

"Naruto what happened?" He asked lowly his eyes darting back and forth as he stepped down to his pack mate and pulled him close.

"I heard something. I thought it was footsteps… Sasuke? Do you sense anything?" Sasuke bodily shuddered as he transformed back into a human and hurried over to his terrified mate. The only thing he could sense was Naruto's terror. There was no one else there.

"No Naruto. You just heard something. No one's here…"

"You're probably just uneasy being out here by yourself… you're fine. Everything's okay." He nodded, still a little shaken but he allowed them to lead him inside and set him down. Shikamaru called out to Kiba that everything was okay and he came up from the basement as quickly as he could. He cuddled and smothered Naruto with hugs and kisses until Naruto wasn't afraid anymore.

"I'm sorry… I thought I heard something…"

"It's okay!" Kiba insisted. "I was hearing all sorts of things when I was pregnant! It's normal! Shika go make him some tea!"

"No I'm okay really. I just want to lie down you know. My back is killing me." He laughed nervously and threw a look at Sasuke who he wanted to come with him.

"I'll sit with you until you fall asleep." Sasuke suggested and he took Naruto by the hand and led him to their room.

Naruto changed out of his dirty overall and took a quick shower to wipe the cold sweat from off of him before he dressed in the loosest dress he could find. "I'll just lie here for a bit."

"Do whatever makes you feel most comfortable Naruto." Sasuke said softly. He'd pulled the chair from the corner and positioned it at the window and Naruto relaxed just a bit. He climbed into bed and Sasuke came over to tuck him in and kiss him gently. "Everything is fine Naruto. Just sleep. I'll be here."

Naruto nodded, laid down and closed his eyes but the most he accomplished was tossing and turning for 40 minutes before he sighed. He was exhausted but at the same time he was too wired to sleep. "I'll just read something instead." he muttered as he got up.

"Are you sure?" Sasuke got up to light a candle but Naruto waved him off.

"I'm okay now I think. I just want to read for a bit." He leaned over to the table and lit the lamp himself. "I'll be fine. Don't worry." He smiled encouragingly but it took a few moments before Sasuke nodded and left. Naruto sighed deeply and set the book aside as he leaned against the bed frame.

He stared at the objects in his room, at the shadows the light was casting and the ajar door leading to the bathroom and the dark that was just beyond the door. He hated feeling so frazzled. He had heard something but it was probably just a rabbit running. He sighed and rubbed his eyes as he turned on his side. He was pulling the covers up when he heard it again. He froze, his ears trained forward as he listened.

He swallowed thickly as he got up and cautiously looked around the room. He could hear it. It was close. Whatever it was it wasn't making any sounds on the wood but he could clearly hear it. He growled in frustration and Sasuke burst into the room. Scaring him half to death. "Sasuke!" He scolded.

"Sorry! I heard you moving around and came to check on you… what are you doing?" he asked cocking his head to the side.

"Nothing. It's nothing." Sasuke raised a brow but he didn't comment further.

"Dinner's almost ready if you want to come and eat with us."

"Alright sure. Just let me change this dress." Sasuke let him be and as he rummaged through his draws he heard it again. Quiet and quick but there. Only in the quiet where the louder sounds weren't drowning it out. Naruto listened keenly, it almost sounded like the beating of wings. Naruto glanced around for a moth or butterfly but still, nothing. He huffed, irritated with himself and the imaginary sound that he was sure was going to drive him crazy.

He made his way downstairs to a grand dinner. Kiba really went all out. There was even fritters, a breakfast food, on the table by his place setting. Kiba nervously patted and smoothed his apron as Naruto approached. "I know you love fritters so I made you some. So you can feel better."

Naruto grinned at his friend. "I'm already better! Just seeing all this? I'm going to eat until I explode." Naruto winked at his friend as he went to sit down. Despite trying to lighten the mood they ate in a stiff silence. Sasuke kept his hand on Naruto's thigh but it provided little comfort, he could hear it. The fluttering, it was faint along with the clinking of cutlery but he could hear it. He frowned at his plate.

Kiba cocked his head to the side, his furry brown ears flopping over and exposing the inside, Shikamaru fluidly fixed it as if he'd done it a thousand times already. Kiba looked distracted though, a frown on his face as he cocked his head to the other side his other ear flopping over. Shikamaru bent over to try and catch his mate's attention but Kiba waved him off. "Honey?"

"Shh!" Kiba hissed. Naruto and Sasuke glanced at each other before Naruto eased his hand over the table.

"Kibs?" He called softly trying to get the other omega's attention. He stared off into nothing before he looked at Naruto with widening eyes his mouth open slightly.

"Naruto…" he breathed.

"Yea I'm here. What's wrong…?" Shikamaru shifted closer to his mate just in case of anything.

"Y-you hear it don't you?" Naruto pulled back. Could Kiba hear the fluttering too?

"I-"

Kiba laughed a little maniacally, "It's creepy isn't it?" his eyes seemed to glaze over for a moment. "I remember the first time I heard it. I spent weeks trying to find out where the hell it was coming from." His eyes refocused on Naruto.

"Kiba you're not making sense," Shikamaru tried gently.

"Naruto did hear a sound earlier but it's a sound only omega's can hear and only when it's super quiet."

"Omegas have a gift like that?" Sasuke shifted forward. Anything to do with powers and Sasuke would be interested.

"It's not a gift. Not really. Not yet at least." Kiba smiled crookedly and shrugged his shoulders. "It's a baby's heart beat."

A/N: Bullet form seems more efficient for this A/N:

1: I now have a new laptop! Christmas came early!

2: So sorry for the terrible delay in responses to reviews but I read every single one of them. I love you all!

3: Happy belated Thanksgiving! I meant to write a fic but since I don't celebrate it I didn't know when it would be and when I started to write it was already the day.

4: Naruto is finally pregnant! (In case you didn't pick up on it) I googled the sound of 6wks baby's heart beat but didn't find much so I just guessed what it would sound like...

5: The game they were playing is Ludo. In Jamaica we call it loodie and it's all about trying to kill each other's pieced so you can have the most pieces on board and win.

6: Don't forget to leave a review! The chapter is 1000 words longer too~