A/N: I decided to write up this chapter on a laptop for a change since I had acess to it. I also had acess to the bigscreen TV while writing for the same reasons as the laptop being available. I think of it like this: I did the same amount of work in the same amount of time with a bigger TV and a smaller computer. So nothing really changed. Oh By the way I added the obligatory married couple lemon to this chapter.

Reviews:

Ryuu: Mapquest what? You don't know I live at 12345 Not real street, Hollywood, Florida.

Lovecomes: I decided that a wedding night lemon was too obvious.

BlackHaze: Yeah people always give Hiashi a bad guy role cuz it's so easy to justify being an asshole. I'd like to think that after nearly losing his daughter cuz he was being intolerable would be a lesson for the guy. Plus, he's gotta respect the confidence and power Naruto's helped her get.

Kagome: Thanks for reading, and thank you for the constructive criticism. I kinda realized that too and the big word count drops in later chapters. By the time you get here you should have seen some of that. If you (or anyone else for that matter) have any more criticism I'd love to hear it. The only way I can improve my work is for the readers to point out where I f#k up. I mean hell Useful changed the entire course of the story with one freaking review. I wanna hear some pointers.

Dante: thanks.

Zeek: I wasn't offended, I don't get offended. I was just making fun of your typo (that was a typo right?) Any way "Tucker" (god please tell me someone else knows what I'm referencing there) wish is granted.

Rasengan: No promises.


Chapter 54: Last Chance

Naruto woke up and rolled out of his bed. His bladder called to be emptied, so he stood and walked to where the bedroom door was. He slammed his face into a wall that should not have been there. "OW!" He looked around and saw the strange surroundings that he nonetheless recognized as his new bedroom.

The noise woke up Hinata, who looked around and locked onto Naruto. "Eh? Naruto? Are you okay?"

Naruto rubbed his forehead where he had impacted with the wall and turned to face Hinata. "Uh? Yeah, I just forgot where I was. Hehe"

Hinata smiled. He had not changed at all despite everything that had happened yesterday. Everything that had happened yster…

Hinata collapsed back into the bed, and Naruto shot over to check on her. He discovered, with a laugh, that she had fainted. The way she had fallen onto the bed with her body bent over and her arms curled in front of her was cute to Naruto. He looked around the room and found where the door was. He could come back for Hinata after going to the bathroom.

With his bladder satisfied he came back to the bedroom and shook Hinata gently. She woke up and looked around, stopping on Naruto. "What happened?"

Naruto kept his smile. "You fainted. Better today then yesterday right?"

With his wife awake Naruto walked to the closet and marveled in two things: how much bigger it was then her old one and how different it's contents were. "I'm going to need to go back home and get my jumpsuits."

Hinata was standing next to him wrapped in a bed sheet. "These are the traditional style robes worn by the Hyuga family."

Naruto looked at them in disgust. "Yeah I know, Neji started wearing these too. I don't think it will go good on me."

Hinata giggled.


Now that ceremonies were over Hinata could finally give Naruto a full tour of the Hyuga's estate. It was small compared to the whole of Konoha, but Naruto was still amazed that just one family owned it all. He was happy to see that he was also not the only person without the Byakugan living here, but he was equally distressed to see that all of these other normal eyed people were women. Hinata explained it to him. "Most women born to the clan don't get married, instead dedicating their time fully to being kunoichi or to serving the clan. That was originally my goal as well, but…"

Naruto smiled. "I changed that didn't I?"

Hinata shook her head. "When I was old enough to understand what the heiress to the clan was obliged to do, it entailed marriage to carry on the main line of the family."

Naruto scratched his head. "Uhhhh, okay. Then why did you train as a ninja?"

Hinata took a turn and Naruto followed. "I also have the duty of passing on my family's secret techniques, so I had to be trained in using them. It was why my father was so disappointed in me when I was younger. He was afraid his family would be removed from the head position because his heir would be unable to train future generations. Hanabi was advancing at the normal rate, so she was favored over me."

They had gone full circle trough the estate and were back at his and Hinata's home. "So what will happen to you now?"

Hinata grabbed Naruto's arm, bringing her closer then when she had just been holding his hand. "I will learn all the lessons my father has to offer, and then I will teach them to our children." She felt Naruto lock up by her side. It only made her hold him all the tighter, as if her were suddenly going to run away from her. "Someday. When I'm older." She felt Naruto relaxing a bit and her grip relaxed as well.

Naruto shook his head to clear it. 'I don't want to shoot her down like that but I'm not ready to raise kids. I wouldn't even know how. Gotta spin off of this change the subject. And not how I changed it with Sakura.' "Uhhhhhh, Hinata. This outfit really doesn't work for me."

She knew full well what he was doing and it didn't bother her. That talk could wait for another day. She had his arm, and that was enough for now.


The recall was beginning. Everyone knew it, but just like the war itself no one talked about it. Jonin and Chunin were being sent on fewer and fewer missions, while Genin were being given more and more c-class escort missions outside of the village. The message was clear, and people were picking up on it. But much to Tsunade's pride the people did not react with fear. Perhaps all those that had been scared of the coming war already left in the fall. Now those that remained even into the onset of spring were showing their bravery and determination.

Still, getting the Genin on as many long range missions as possible would lower the Genin casualties in the battle. As for the people in the village, their safety was priority one. The basic plan that everyone in the village knew as a good one. The primary objective of evacuating the civilians to a hidden safe area, and then the secondary objective of counterattacking. It would work well, even if Orochimaru's forces knew about it they would never be able to get close enough to the village without warning to harm more then a small number of civilians.

ANBU were patrolling in he woods surrounding the village continuously. More ANBU patrolled the city walls. They were as prepared as they could be. That was the most Tsunade could ask for.


"Is everything ready?" The voice of the Akatsuki leader rang out in the cave.

"Yes, as per your specifications, Pein." Orochimaru hissed.

"No to be rude, Leader, Orochimaru-san, but isn't anyone else worried about the fact that they seem to know the attack is coming? Shouldn't we change our plans?" This was Tobi's suggestion.

The image of Pein shook it's head. "They know that we are coming, they do not know how it will happen. The element of surprise is still ours."

Itachi's image raised it's head slightly. "Konoha's response to attack is limited to a single strategy based solely on protecting civilians."

Orochimaru nodded. "Yes, noble, but it plays into your hands well. The one you're after will not retreat with the squalor. He will charge right to front lines. Then you can have him and I can have…"

Deidara cut him off. "Don't forget that you have a roll to play in all of this. The Uchiha brat is yours only after you've aided in extracting the demon."

"If I live long enough after we're done? Isn't that what you want to add at the end? Angry because you don't have the chance to fulfill your partner's wish?" Orochimaru said this with the utmost of glee.

Deidara's image displayed his fury, making Pein all the more glad he had choosen to hold this meeting by projection rather then in person. Tobi was also angry, though the other members, particularly Kisame saw this as laughable. "Give Deidara-sempai a chance and he'll blow you to smithereens Snake-freak!!!"

Pein was not going to put up with it. "Enough. I will not tolerate personal grudges. You all have ten days. You know where to be. And trust in this, should we fail I will personally destroy all of you."

Pein's threat was enough to silence the meeting. The pause was broken only once Pein's image faded away, cueing the others to follow.


With the meeting over Kisame was freed to move. Itachi stood up as well, and the two of them began moving. Kisame's smile was wide. "First I need to destroy that guy in the green jumpsuit."

Itachi spoke to Kisame in his usuall cold demeanor. "Your clone underestimated him and failed, you should learn from his mistakes."

Kisame didn't seem to be paying attention though. "Yeah, and then the one who makes trees, I need to take him down as well. I guess I should also kill the one with the black animals. Wow, that's three Leaf Ninja I need to kill. Once that Kyuubi is sealed up I'll have to get to work. What about you Itachi. I know Orochimaru is obsessed with his revenge against him but we both know it's you the boy will be obsessed with fighting. How much stronger do you think he's gotten? He did defeat Orochimaru."

Itachi kept walking without reacting. "We'll see what happens."

"Hehehe, The same reaction as always."


Sasuke couldn't stand it. He was ready to face his brother. But now he had to wait. The missions had distracted him for some time, given him day to day goals to waste his time. But now Tsunade had removed him from the active duty list. The days stretched on now. Even training could do nothing for him. None of it mattered anymore, all that mattered was Itachi, and killing him.

Sakura noticed his attitude, and it worried her. "Sasuke, if anything's wrong, you can tell me. Anything."

She was there, like she always was. It was true he had been opening up to her more. In the past months he realized with shame that he actually did miss her on long missions. He enjoyed seeing her when he got home. He enjoyed her company, her unrelenting care for him at all times. It was something he had never had before. But all the joy was ruined and hollow. He always saw his face. He always heard his words. 'If you want to kill me, despise me, hate me, and live a loathsome life…'

Sasuke had not responded to her, and she could see his face cringing which meant he was going through bad memories. It was a face she knew well. Experience had also told it her it was usually best not to try and pry when he wore that face. Rather, waiting patiently was the best way to get a response.

He snapped back to the present, and saw that Sakura was just sitting there patient as always. "I'm sorry Sakura. Nothing's wrong I was just thinking that's all."

Sakura weighed the options. She felt like taking a risk, so a little prying couldn't hurt. "What were you thinking about? Us?"

Sasuke's face tightened up again. "Yes, in a sense. But more about…"

"Itachi." Her voice was in unison with his. "That's what you always think about you know? But you never tell me what it's all about."

Sasuke turned his head to the side. "Busybody." He watched Sakura's comic reaction to his jab. "He once said to me that if I wanted to defeat him I would have to spend my entire life hating him. That I would have to do noting but hate him. That I could feel nothing but hate for him. That is why I've made the choices I've made up until now. I based my whole life on that belief."

Sakura heard it all. She could believe it. "He's wrong you know. Just look at Naruto."

Sasuke nodded. "Yes, but I still don't know for sure."

Sakura thought of something. "I still remember my promise. I won't interfere with your fight."

Sasuke looked up at her. The odd mixture of affection and self disgust resurfaced. He had to do something. He had to get control of his own feelings. If not to defeat Itachi then at least for the sake of being a shinobi. "Sakura. If I defeat him, I will have fulfilled my only goal in life. After that, I'll try to be for you what you have always tried to be for me." Sasuke felt relieved to finally put his emotional state out in the open. He got up and left the room, leaving behind a very stunned Sakura.

Sakura remained stunned for a very long time.


Naruto spent the entire day after changing into something more comfortable meeting members of Hinata's family in person. He was quickly making a mental list of the people who were less tolerable of his presence then others. There was one of the main house members in particular that showed an immediate liking to Naruto, referring to him as Yondaime's legacy at one point. There was of course also one of the older main house members who referred to him as kyuubi brat.

The whole time his wife was by his side, introducing him to her family and warning her about the disgruntled people before they got to them. Every few minutes Naruto had to go over this fact again. 'I married Hinata.' It was difficult for him to believe. 'I married Hinata.' Even though he had been planning it for months, it was still unreal. 'I married Hinata!'

"We're back again." Hinata said to her husband, gaining his attention. They were standing back at the front of their home after a whole day of talking with any Hyuga within the estate. The sun was setting and they were both pretty tired from all the walking. "Naruto why did you do all this?"

He looked at her. "What?"

She didn't look at him but rather at the house. "Why did you propose?"

Naruto also turned to the house. He scratched the back of his head. "Because one of us could die. I mean, killing me is what they're after. And I wanted to make sure I was married to you before I was dead so…"

Hinata was barely holding back the tears as she hugged him. She pressed her face into his chest.

Naruto grabbed her arm and pulled her inside the building. She squeaked and questioned it, but couldn't do either once the door was slid shut because Naruto's lips had smashed into hers. There was no need or even desire to fight against it so she returned it full force, opening her mouth and letting their tongues hit. She pulled off and breathed. "Again?"

Her voice was trapped between desire and shock. Naruto pulled her into him placing his face above hers. "Yeah. Are you okay with it?"

She wrapped her arms around him and pulled him even tighter against her. "Anything for you, my husband"


()Lemon!()Lemon!()Lemon!()Lemon!()Lemon!()Lemon!()Lemon!()Lemon!()Lemon!()Lemon!()Lemon!()Lemon!()Lemon!()Lemon!()Lemon!()


Now her voice sounded hot and heavy. He dipped his head down in order to get their lips together again. They were still right by the front door, so Naruto began pushing to the side so they could move towards the bedroom. Step by step they swung their way into the room, laughing and smiling when they needed to breath. They finally made it into the bedroom, and the clothes started to drop. First jackets from both of them. Then shirts. Pants dropped. Naruto didn't have to try very hard to get the boxers off and he turned to face the fully nude Hianta.

She moved forward to him and started kissing him again. He pushed her face away and looked at her. "So pretty." Her blush deepened. He wrapped his arms around her bare body and pressed it into his own. He almost felt like he was going to burst into flame the heat was so intense.

She was used to this feeling now, used to the nudity and the contact and the pressure and all of it. And she loved it. She felt his hands reach down to her ass and she squeaked into his mouth, causing him to grin through the kiss. His hands slid down to her thighs while she wrapped her arms around his neck and shoulders. She jumped and he lifted. She was supported by his hands and balanced by her arms. He hefted her wit over to the wall by the headboard of the bed, propping her against it for more support.

She opened her eyes and turned her head to break their lips apart. "Like this?" She asked this because she could feel that he was close to her entrance in this position.

He stared into her eyes. "Is something wrong?"

She closed her eyes. "No, we've just never…ahh!"

He didn't even wait for her to finish before pulling her body down and pushing himself inside her. She glared at him, or at least tried to glare at him but couldn't in good conscience. He used his arms to hold her to the wall while he moved his legs and hips to thrust in and pull out. She involuntarily tightened her arms around his neck, pulling him into another deep kiss. The kiss was made more powerful by the continuous moans and grunts they would add too it.

They finally pulled their faces apart only for Hinata to tighten her arms even more, placing her head on Naruto's shoulder. He turned his head to the side and began kissing and sucking on her neck. Her neck was always important to him, as he had many time placed marks there which were covered by Hinata's jacket collar. He smiled as he bit down into the soft flesh above her collar bone and marked it. She cried out from the pain. In retaliation she dug her fingers into Naruto's shoulders and back, but her nails were trimmed down so she could not leave claw marks.

Naruto kept up the pace with his thrusts. Hinata tightened her legs around his waist. It was growing hotter between them. She loosened her arms enough to bring their faces together again. The kisses were wild, animalistic, rapid and without lasting depth. Naruto was also picking up speed. Naruto turned his face down pressing his forehead to Hinata's, the thrusts causing some friction between the two surfaces. His eyes were closed and his mouth hung open exhaling heat from his body. "Hinata…Hinata…I…Hinata…"

She opened her eyes long enough to see their bodies. "I know…I know…Naruto…"

He brought his face back up and kissed her nose. She brought her face back up as well so that he could reach her lips. They began rapidly pecking at each other's lips, gasping and breathing between each contact. Naruto pressed in hard and brought his mouth full against Hinata's. She pressed her tongue against his as it invaded her mouth. She felt the warmth in her body, the warmth from Naruto's release. Inside her as it had been last night, and several of the nights before that.

She pulled her lips away and looked into Naruto's eyes. They were waxed over with his pleasure, and his arms began to drop allowing her to put her feet back on the ground. Naruto shook himself awake and bent down, picking Hinata up bridal style and kissing her again. He carried her to the bed and placed her down gently. He crawled over her and looked down. "I was trying to say I love you."

She smiled. "I know you do Naruto."


'


A/N: That's right, time is almost up. The set up is complete. The pawns are moving. Very soon, the big pieces are gonna get onto the board. Are you ready?"