This one's shorter because I had a bit of trouble writing it. Normally, my ideas just flow, but lately I've been having trouble either putting my thoughts into words or connecting the parts of the story I already have planned out. I think all the stress in my life is just building and making this harder. I'll still continue though.

Progressing and Confusion

Itachi waits patiently in the hospital room with Hana. He's here to get a check-up and have the chakra/tracking bracelet put on. After the trial which took place an hour ago, Hayato and Itachi went home to change while Hana did the same and retrieved the Haimaru Triplets. The dogs weren't allowed to be in the chambers so Hana is letting them spend time with her now.

The door opens to reveal a grinning Shizune. The Hokage's assistant congratulates them on the ruling of the elders. The medic nin is careful not to bring up the demand for a child. The two obviously weren't ready to openly declare their relationship so discussing marriage and children is a subject that should be avoided for now.

As Shizune is checking Itachi, the door burst open and Hayato enters with a scowl on his face, waking the Haimaru Triplets from their nap. The ninja had left several minutes ago to find Sorami and tell her the results of the trial. Slamming the door behind him, Hayato goes to stand by the window. Itachi notices that his friend is gripping the windowsill so tightly that his knuckles have turned white.

"What's wrong, Hayato?" Shizune asks. The ANBU member ignores the question and continues to glare out the window.

A little while later, the brunette has moved to lean against the wall. But when laughter can be heard outside the door, Itachi and Hana notice the muscles of his jaw clench. Shizune, who was preparing to put the chakra bracelet on Itachi, pauses. Hearing laughter in the hospital is not a normal sound with a few exeptions. Once more, the door opens and Sorami enters. Another doctor who was with her remains in the doorway.

"Ah…Uchiha-san," the man says when he sees Itachi in the room. Despite the doctor's attempts to remain calm, he's obviously nervous.

"I heard you guys were in here so I thought I'd see how the trial went," Sorami states as she walks further into the room.

"That's very nice of you, Sorami-chan," the doctor says as he takes a step forward to follow her.

At this point, something in Hayato snaps and he's in front of the other doctor in an instant. His icy glare makes the man unconsciously step back. His steps send him into the hallway and Hayato slams the door in his face.

Hayato turns back around to see everyone staring at him. Even the dogs have their heads cocked to the side in confusion.

"What?" he asks.

"Nothing. So…you wanted to know about the hearing, Sorami. You mean Hayato didn't tell you?" Hana asks. "He went to go tell you how it went."

The medic shakes her head and all eyes shift to Hayato.

"You were busy with him," he replies dryly as he gestures to the door. "Who was he?"

Sorami has an immediate response. "Oh, he's Iashi, another doctor who has a few patients being switched to my care. He was telling me some things I may need to watch out for."

Feeling foolish, but not knowing why, Hayato's eyes drop to the floor and he says "Oh."

Sorami turns back to Hana and Itachi to ask "So how did everything go?"

Although the Uchiha's face remains blank, the vet glares at Hayato.

"Done!" Shizune announces as she takes a step back. "I better go. I have plans with Genma later and Hokage-sama's letting me get off early."

The medic nin hurries to leave and Hayato says "I'll come with you" before following out the door.

The door closes with a click and Sorami's expression is one of confusion. Itachi proceeded to inform her of the elders' decision.

"Hayato also divulged our relationship," Hana states. "Now, they're expecting a baby."

The Inuzuka's face suddenly becomes one of horror and she drops her head into her hands. "There were some members of my clan present at the hearing. They heard everything!"

"Hana…" Itachi says, but the vet cuts him off.

"My mother already wanted to talk about this and now that everyone else knows, we'll have to go to a clan meeting and have to deal with that!"

The sharingan user releases a sigh as he stands. He grabs Hana by the hand before leading her out the door, through the hospital, and through the village. The entire time, the Haimaru Triplets whimper at Hana's feet as she continues to rant to warn her of what Itachi is doing.

She finally comes to her senses when she recognizes the houses they pass by. Hana's face pales when she realizes they've entered the Inuzuka compound.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Hana demands as she digs her heels into the ground. The sharingan user turns around to face the woman who just now is starting to fight his hold.

"Your mother is the head of the Inuzuka clan. If we talk to her now, you won't have to deal with the embarrassment of discussing everything before your entire clan," Itachi states matter-of-factly.

He leans in slightly so his nose brushes her cheek. "And like I said before, there's a topic we need to consider," he adds before gently pressing his lips to her jaw.

He pulls away to observe her expression. "You mean, when my mom wanted to discuss marriage?" Hana asks in shock. Itachi is almost certain he could hear her heart pounding.

"Well, I personally believe things should progress in a certain order. If we had a baby just to please the elders, we'd be skipping a step." Itachi's eyes hold amusement in them as they hold Hana's gaze. "Would being my wife really be that terrible?" he asks.

Hana gapes at him as she tries to form a coherent thought. Itachi chuckles before kissing her forehead.

"Don't worry, Hana. I'm not asking you to do anything. There's still time. All I care about is that you're happy," he says quietly.

Itachi turns around to start walking towards the main house, but is stopped when Hana wraps her arms around him from behind. He peers at her over his shoulder and raises an eyebrow when he finds her grinning at him.

"It might be sooner than you think Itachi," she says before releasing him and they start walking to the house together.

Although she can't argue with the Uchiha's logic, Hana would still prefer not to start a conversation with her mother about her relationship with Itachi. Although when Tsume opens the door, the small smile on the older Inuzuka's face brings some comfort.

"Hello Inuzuka-san. I was hoping we could discuss a few things," Itachi says politely.

Tsume nods and they take the same seats they were in the first time they visited. This time, however, Kuromaru and the Haimaru Triplets are more relaxed and the atmosphere is slightly more comfortable. Hiro's head is once again resting on Itachi's knee while Takeo lies across Hana's feet and Daichi sits on the floor between Hana and Itachi.

"I figured you'd be coming over soon," Tsume states as she eyes the bracelet on the Uchiha's wrist. "What exactly did you wish to discuss?"

"Last time we were here, you said us getting married would cause some problems. I was just wondering what those were."

When Tsume's eyes widen, Hana quickly adds "Not that we are. We'd just like to be aware of why there'd be problems."

In an attempt to relax her body, the leader inhales deeply. "Both the Uchiha and the Inuzuka are powerful and prestigious clans of Konoha. Each has their own customs," she explains. "Just like your Uchiha crest, an Inuzuka's tattoos are special as well as their dog companions."

Tsume meets Itachi's eyes. "I was at the hearing and know what the elders have asked of the two of you. Although your child will have the name Uchiha, it will still be an Inuzuka by blood. I know I don't really have a say in the matter, but I would like for the some traditions of the Inuzuka clan to be upheld."

"I understand," the sharingan user replies as he bows his head respectfully.

Meanwhile as the conversation continues, Hayato is standing in the Hokage's office.

"You want me to assign you a mission. What brought this on so suddenly?" Tsunade asks in surprise as she stares at the man in front of her.

"I think it would be best if I wasn't around for a few days. Itachi and Hana weren't all that happy with me after they realized I informed everyone about their relationship," the brunette explains. "Please Hokage-sama. There has to be something. I'll even go on a D-rank mission if it'll get me out of the village for a few days."

Tsunade eyes Hayato suspiciously. "I heard from Sakura earlier that you were in the hospital. She said that you gave Iashi quite a scare and you were upset about something. Is anything wrong?"

"No, nothing's wrong."

"Shizune also came in before she went to see Genma. She said you left to find Sorami and came back angry. Then you directed that anger towards Iashi and seemed upset with Sorami when you saw her with him. Why?" the Hokage presses.

Hayato groans. "I don't know why, but I don't see the point of discussing that. Please just give me a mission."

The blonde studies the ANBU member for a moment before smirking knowingly. "Fine, but a D-rank mission won't be necessary. I have an A-rank mission that requires a three man cell. You're team will consist of Gai and Rock Lee and you'll be leaving tomorrow morning."

"Gai AND Rock Lee?!" Hayato groans.

"You wanted a mission and you got one, Hayato. If you weren't trying to avoid a situation, this wouldn't happen in the first place. But since you're trying to get out of dealing with your problems, you'll have to deal with Gai and Lee first then your other situation when you return," Tsunade scolds.

She hands Hayato a scroll and adds "Once you return from the mission, report here and then go with the rest of your team to the hospital to get an examination done. I don't care if you think you're injured or not."

"Yes, Hokage-sama," he says reluctantly before exiting the office.

While exiting the Hokage's Tower, Hayato reads the scroll. The mission itself isn't that difficult, but it's important. They have a high chance of being attacked while trying to carry out the task as well.

Arriving at his apartment, the ninja considers what supplies he'll need for tomorrow. Once he's packed the necessary supplies, Hayato summons one of his falcons to tell Itachi of the mission so he knows he'll be staying with Hana for the next few days.

Once that's taken care of, the brunette heads to Taro's bar to inform his employer that he won't be coming to work for the next few days, but Itachi should still be coming.

"What's wrong Hayato? I heard about Itachi-san's hearing. Why are you going on a mission instead of celebrating?" Taro asks with concern.

With a senbon, Hayato move the ice in his drink around. He shrugs in response to Taro's question.

'Why aren't I celebrating?' Hayato asks himself. 'I should be happy. Yet all I can think about is how Sorami was laughing because of Iashi.'

The ANBU member finds himself thinking of Iashi with disgust. Realizing what he's doing, Hayato shakes his head to rid his thoughts.

'Maybe the mission tomorrow will clear my head,' Hayato silently hopes.