Chapter 4:

A Den of Memories, Part 2

"It took you long enough to get here, jerk," Naruto said indignantly. "You almost missed the ceremony!"

"I don't see the problem," Sasuke replied, smoothing the front of his black yukata fastidiously. "I made it, didn't I?"

Naruto shook his head in dismay. "It's a big problem, dattebayo! You were even later than Kakashi-sensei—to my wedding!"

"Now, now," Kakashi broke in amicably. "I would've been here sooner, but there was this old woman who needed help carrying her groceries and—"

"I don't care!" Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura shouted at the same time.

They glanced at each other, momentarily startled, then Naruto and Sakura burst into laughter while Sasuke's lips twisted into an amused smirk.

Hinata stood off to the side watching them, like she always did. Even now that she was married to Naruto, it hadn't changed. She loved Naruto and she knew that he loved her, but he had a special relationship with his genin team that she would never be able to match.

"How rude," Kakashi said, crossing his arms with an air of mock offense. "Whatever happened to my kawaii little genin?"

"We're not kids anymore, Kakashi-sensei," Sakura smiled good-naturedly. "We're all grown up now."

"We'll always be a team, though," Naruto said solemnly. "Always."

A contemplative silence fell over the foursome, and Hinata knew that they were thinking of times and memories that she had no part in.

"Hey"—Sakura's green eyes had grown very bright—"I know what we should do. We should recreate our Team 7 photo!"

"Huh?" Naruto asked blankly. "Why?"

"If you don't understand the sentimental value of it, then I'm not going to bother trying to explain it to you," she sniffed. "Stay here, ok? I'll be right back."

Hinata turned away, unable to watch any longer. She knew how much Naruto treasured his old team photo, but whenever she saw it, she couldn't stop her heart from aching a bit. This new photograph would be no different. It would sit in their home, a constant reminder of a part of Naruto that would always be out of her reach…

"Hinata."

She whirled around in surprise. "S-Sakura-san?"

Sakura smiled and grasped her hand. "Come with me for a second."

She led her to where the three men were already waiting in position. Naruto and Sasuke stood on either side of their sensei, while one of Kakashi's hands rested on each of their heads. Neither of them looked overly pleased by the arrangement.

"Sakura-chan," Naruto said. "Do we really have to do this? I feel stupid."

"Quit whining," Sakura snapped. "Keep your arms crossed and stop trying to duck away from Kakashi-sensei. Ok, Hinata"—she turned to her with a brilliant smile—"you stand here, ok?"

A small 'eep' sound escaped her lips as she was placed so close to Naruto that their shoulders were touching.

"Ok, stay just like that. I'm going to go get the photographer." She sent a threatening glance in Naruto's direction. "I mean it. Not even a single muscle."

"U-Um..." Hinata glanced up at Naruto as Sakura tripped lightly away. "Naruto-kun?"

"Hm?"

"Is this…Is this really ok?"
"What do you mean?"

She fiddled with her fingers nervously. "It's just…I'm not part of Team 7, so…"

"Hinata." He took her hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. "Team 7 has always been more than a team to me—they're my family. And now you're part of that family too. You belong here just as much as any of us."

She looked up at him, her eyes as wide as saucers. "Naruto-kun..."

"Naruto!" Sakura's screech made them both jump. "I told you not to move!"

Naruto gulped and hastily resumed his pose. "Yes, ma'am!"

Sakura made several more adjustments, before giving a satisfied nod and taking her place next to Sasuke.

"Ok!" She waved to the photographer. "We're ready!"

The man lifted up his camera. "On the count of three, ok? 1...2...3!"

The camera clicked, and Hinata smiled, knowing that this team photo would be different. She would display it proudly, and every time she saw it, she would fondly remember this precious moment...

The moment she had become part of Naruto's family.

Author's Note: I hope you enjoyed this fluffy flashback chapter. We'll be back to the main storyline tomorrow, but until then, please leave a review to let me know what you think!