Six long years have passed and a lot has happened in Konoha. The recent war that scarred the shinobi world was slowly healing and more or less forgotten by time. Konoha 12, the young heroes of the village are also talking their own steps towards their futures. They advanced in their careers and other 'personal matters'. It is an era where Kakashi has been the sixth Hokage. A lot of them were settling down but some are still looking for a few answers, if not, they're waiting for that 'special move' that changes the daily cycles of their lives. In fact there's one perfect example. A raven-haired man was making his way around the market, getting a few supplies for the house. He finished getting everything and was making his way home when he saw a blonde who was also having a walk around town.
"Hey, ohayo!" Naruto said with a usual grin. He was on his jounin outfit, complete with his red Sage coat on.
"Hey. You going on a mission?" Sasuke asked as his friend looked like on full gear.
"Nah. Just the opposite. I just got home from a three-day mission with the kids. Now I know why people call me a knucklehead back then" he said with a tired tone.
"What? You're saying you're nursing a mirror image of you? Hn. Good for you" the Uchiha said in a teasing voice as Naruto let out a small growl.
"So how is Ichirou?" he said, changing the topic towards his friend.
"Still adjusting, I think. Nine isn't the best age to lose your mom when you even didn't meet your dad" Sasuke replied as a quiet atmosphere covered the two.
"You said that right. But at least he isn't alone. Ne Oji-san?" the blonde remarked, winking at him.
"Aa" he said as a small smile was seen on his usual cold face.
"Well! I gotta go, I'd better be home before Hina-chan wakes up" Naruto said, patting the Uchiha's shoulder as he began to walk away.
"Ja" and with that the two parted ways. Naruto started heading towards his apartment. They've been living in that one bedroom apartment for a year now and since it's still just the two of them, they still didn't bother to look for a bigger one. Well, not yet at least. He arrived and went in, silently, hoping he wouldn't wake her up. He came up to the bedroom and found her there, lying down with the blankets covering the half of her body. He crept to her side and found himself shoving the hair strands that fell to her sleeping face.
"Good morning sleepyhead" he said, whispering to her ear. Hinata came to her senses and saw his smiling face. Seeing that first thing in the morning made her day lit up from the start.
"When did you get home?" she asked lightly, as she was nursing a morning sickness almost every morning these past weeks.
"Just a few minutes ago. What do you want for breakfast?" he asked kissing her forehead.
"I'd like the usual, but can you please make some tea too? My stomach's been a little squishy since last night" she said sitting up.
"You sure it's just that?" Naruto said with a worried tone.
"Naruto-kun, I'm fine, don't worry" she said as she cupped his chin.
"If you say so," he said climbing out of the bed, "but promise me you'll ring a bell if it gets worst" he said as he leaned at the doorway, looking at her.
"Of course" she said, still sitting on the bed and as her husband went to the kitchen. Her head felt heavy as she tried to go out of bed with haste. She didn't want Naruto to get worried so she told herself it was just a simple headache. She stood and began to arrange the pillows and blankets when she felt so sick and her vision began to circle around her. She stumbled on her way out, leaning to the walls for support. Naruto heard the floor creak and turned to her direction and saw her getting out of balance and caught her just in time before she landed on the floor.
"Hina-chan!" he cried as she cradled her fallen body.
"Naruto-kun…" Hinata's voice drifted and so did her consciousness. The next thing she knew she was lying down. A white ceiling greeted her as her eyelashes flickered open. It was a familiar ceiling though she couldn't tell where and how did she end up there. She also felt a blanket cover her from shoulder to toe and her hand was held by another's. She turned to her right as saw Naruto. She could tell he was worried sick as he waited for her to respond. Hinata gripped his hand and immediately Naruto came up close to see her face.
"You okay? You told me you were fine!" he complained as he began to breathe so hard in his anger and worry, "Don't you ever scare me like that again" he said as he tried to take air to his lungs.
"Calm down Naruto-kun, I won't be able to carry you if you pass out" she said as a little smile decorated her face.
"We're gonna get Tsunade-baachan get a look at you. Like right now. I don't want you to pass out like that again. Hina-chan, you can tell me what's wrong or you'll have me worried sick!" he said as his voice became tender and full of emotion.
"Will I help you change or can you get by on your own?" he said as he removed his vest and slid one shoulder to his Sage coat.
"I-I'll get by, somehow" she said, a little unconvincing.
"Okay…? Take your time and don't force yourself too much okay?" he said as he went out of the room and as Hinata slowly took off from bed. She went up to the closet and slid a sleeveless top and her usual jacket and left it unzipped. She also had her pants that went just to her ankles. She carefully took little steps as she walked towards the door and found Naruto leaning on the wall.
"Shall we then?" he asked as he stood straight.
"Hai" she replied and they began to head out. Naruto helped her slid her sandals on as she could fall out of balance doing that alone. He held on to her waist as they walked towards the hospital. He continued to support her as he didn't want her to breakdown again. She looked too fragile and that's why he was on his possessive mood. He wanted to protect her because he didn't want to lose her. The rays of the morning sun were still gentle as it was still early. They got to the hospital before the streets got crowded and before they got delayed.
"Excuse me, is Tsunade-baachan in?" he asked at the desk as Hinata sat down in one of the nearby chairs.
"I'm sorry but no," the lady said as she rummaged through the schedule charts, "Although Haruno-sensei is in, do you want her to do the job?"
"That's fine then. Where's her office?" he inquired.
"Just follow this hallway. The second to the last room"
"Thanks" he said as he went up to Hinata, "Sakura is in. Let's go" he said as he took her hand and as Hinata nodded in response. They walked through the hallway and as they reached for the door it opened as Yamato went out.
"Oh? Great timing, Hokage-sama wants your mission report" he said, closing the door.
"Shimatta! I forgot!" Naruto exclaimed, "Ne, Yamato-taicho, can you take Hina-chan home later? Kakashi-sensei's gonna kill me" he said as he sweat dropped.
"Sure, got nothing to do anyway" Yamato said as his face under his mask crinkled to a smile.
"Thanks," he said to him then turned to Hinata, "I'm sorry but I have to go turn that report now. I'll see you at home" he said, kissing her forehead.
"It's okay. I can handle it" she said with a smile. And Naruto went on his way to the Hokage's mansion and as Hinata entered Sakura's office. Yamato decided just to wait at the hallway.
"Ojama shimasu" she remarked as she entered her office.
"Hinata? Why the sudden visit?" Sakura asked. A lab gown covered her usual clothes as a stethoscope hung around her neck. She sat erect as Hinata came to her desk.
"Ano… eto… I feel sick, my head feels so heavy and I've been having a morning sickness lately…"
"When did this start?" she asked, though she already had a sneaky suspicion on what this is going to turn out.
"I felt morning sicknesses since last week and the headache just a few days ago" she replied.
"Hmm… have you noticed something different? Like when you smell something too strong it makes you want to throw up? Or do you feel dizzy at some times?"
"Hai"
"Like every morning, do you get lazy trying to get up early and want to stay in bed the whole day?"
"Hai…"
"Okay… the next question's gonna be a little rude," she said as she saw the purple-haired lady tilted her head in curiosity, "what about you're last cycle?"
"Sakura, you d-d-don't think I'm—" she stammered as she connected the dots. She might probably be pregnant.
"I mean, you and Naruto had been married for a year right? So I think you might be and with the way your answers go, I'm positive you are," she said with a smile, "but! I still want to do little tests on you, of course we'll have to confirm it and make sure you and little one is safe" she said, winking at her still shocked friend.
"Relax, Temari's also the same when she knew that little Shikadai was on the way" she said remembering the Nara's little one.
After a while she went out of Sakura's office and met Yamato who was waiting outside.
"You okay? What did Sakura said?" he inquired.
"I'm okay, Yamato-taicho. She said I-I-I just have to rest for a while" she said, a little embarrassed to say she's pregnant and she wanted Naruto to hear it first.
"That's good then. Shall we?"
"Hai"
They started walking home. The sun's rays we're a little bit warmer as it reached its peak. The streets we're also getting crowded from all the people as the day went on. Still, they didn't get delayed as the two took back alley routes as shortcuts and soon enough they reached the apartment.
"Thanks Yamato-taicho" she said with a smile as she stood at the doorway.
"No problem. Get well soon. Ja ne" he said with as a visible smile decorated his masked face and soon he disappeared with a puff of smoke. Hinata headed inside, she sat at the couch and as her hand crept to her flat stomach.
"I'm going to be a mom" she whispered to herself. She didn't know if she wanted to cry or scream, whether or not she'd feel nervous, scared or excited. Temari did mention how much it hurts at child birth. She was so deep in thought that she didn't realize the knock on the door. She rushed to open it but as she reached out it opened and she ended up in Naruto's arms.
"Hina-chan? You okay?" he asked as he helped her regain her balance.
"I-I'm fine" she said, a slight blush was on her face. As soon as she was standing again, she went to the kitchen to get him some water and as Naruto threw himself at the couch.
"Did you turn in your report?" she asked, handing the glass before she sat beside him.
"Yeah, what'd you expect? What Hokaga-sama want he gets," he replied, remembering the lecture he just had, "so what did Sakura-chan said?" he asked.
"Uhmm… well, Naruto-kun… I-I am… I-I'm pregnant" she managed to blurt out while Naruto almost choked at the news and stared at her for a few seconds. 'What did she just say? Did I hear that right?' his mind thought as he let it sink in.
"Really?!" he exclaimed, hugging her, "I'm going to be a dad!" his hug loosened and his hands crept to her stomach.
"Hey there, can you hear me? I'm your daddy" he said with a smile. Hinata's hand went to his head, ruffling his blond locks with a smile.
"Naruto-kun," she said earning his attention, "I love you"
"I love you more" Naruto said as he claimed her lips. He broke it just to whisper to her stomach.
"And I love you too" he said, kissing it making Hinata giggle about his daddy jitters.
That evening they went to go to the Hyuga compound to tell the news. Hanabi opened up, surprisingly she was in a more 'girlish' and formal outfit today. Hinata was in a light purple tube-like dress with a dark blue coat that covered it while Naruto was in a black shirt and a usual jeans.
"Ah, Hinata-nee, Naruto-nii" she said with a smile as she greeted the couple.
"Hanabi-chan, is Otosan in?"
"Hai. Wait in the gardens while I call him" she said with a smile as she ran off.
"Sure" she said as they walked in. the compound was quiet and only a few of the Hyuga's were around. The night night sky was darkening as they made their way.
"Something's different with Hanabi-chan" he commented as he sat down the wooden ledge going to the gardens as Hinata examined the orchids.
"Hmm? What do you mean different?"
"Well, it's just that I only see Hanabi-chan in usual lime green kimonos and now she's wearing something out of the blue" he said, lifting his head up to the sky.
"You got a point but, Hanabi-chan is also a girl and girls tend to have these kinds of fetishes" she explained as she turned her back to examine a few more of the flowers. Creaks were heard from the living room though the couple didn't pay attention to it until a hand reached out from behind which startled the blonde.
"What the—?"
"Shh, before you complain, would you tell Hiashi-sama about the news first?" the pinkette said as she bent over him. Hinata turned to her husband and saw her Otasan and their friends behind Sakura. Naruto stood up to him, Hinata paced back to his side.
"Well? Your friends told me you have an announcement to make" he said, arms crossed as the couple stood before him.
"Uhm… O-Otosan, you'll be a granddad soon" she said with a smile. The Hyuga head was left speechless as a content and happy smile decorated his face. He reached out to Naruto's shoulder.
"Get ready for the best days of your life. With a little one on the way, I hope that both of you would become great parents," he said then turned to his daughter, "your Mom would be overjoyed if she was still here. Well, she is around isn't she?" he said as Hiashi hugged her.
"Hai," she said in an almost teary voice, "thank you for everything, Otosan"
"Now now, I think you're friends have prepeared something for both of you" he said, releasing the hug Hinata was in.
"Yeah, what are you guys here for?" Naruto asked with a brow raised towards his friends.
"What? You don't want us here? C'mon Naruto" Kiba whined as Akamaru barked to back him up.
"Kiba, stop that," Sakura said as Kiba zipped his mouth immediately, "we arranged a little gathering to congratulate the both of you" she said.
"Omedetou!" they all said in chorus. With all the smiles and a few gifts.
"Arigatou, minna!" Naruto exclaimed with his usual grin as he pulled Hinata closer to him.
"Let's get the party started!" Kiba shouted and everyone began to have a great time. The boys had their own conversations as the ladies fussed over Hinata.
"Hey Shikamaru, how does it feel to be a dad?" Naruto asked sipping from his glass.
"You should be able to know by now that you're going to be one" the shadow user said.
"Well yeah I'm excited, but I'm also worried about Hinata" he said in a worried tone. Shikamaru patted the blonde's shoulder.
"Relax. With the way Hinata's attitude, you won't have any problems. Believe me I know" he said, scratching the back of his head as Naruto raised a brow. 'Temari was such a drag back then. And I'm glad it's over' he thought.
"So Sasuke, have you thought about settling down? Even the Hyuga prodigy here has taken his steps you know" Kiba said as he threw a hand to Neji's shoulder which gained him an annoyed look.
"Hn"
"Don't you 'Hn' us, teme. Are you really gonna keep Sakura-chan waiting?"
"Naruto has a point Uchiha," Shikamaru said, "You've kept her waiting for too long you know. The blame's on you if you ever lose her. Again"
"I second that!" Naruto exclaimed as Sasuke kept silent as the lecture went on. He was silently thinking on what his friends were trying to say. They have a point but can he really handle something big like marriage? They have been dating for a while now but can he really take on that bold move that changes not only his life but also hers.
"Oi, Sasuke! Are you listening teme?!"
"Yeah yeah I hear you but it's just not the right time for things like this"
"Then when?" his friends asked.
"Well… I dunno really" he said as a light blush crept to his face.
"Hey, Uchiha are you really blushing? Maybe you're just nervous to ask her that's why you're making excuses" Kiba teased making the group laugh.
"Let's just say I am nervous…"
"EHHH?!" their group shouted in unison as the ever so cool Uchiha was actually nervous.
"I was a rouge nin since not so long ago. How could she ever say yes?" he asked with his head down.
"But you came back. And Sakura-chan loves you right? So why not?" Naruto said with his usual grin. Rolling his eyes, Sasuke began to re-think everything.
Meanwhile at the ledge just outside the living room where the gentlemen were the girls were also having a great time.
"Ne Hinata, how does it feel to be a mom?" Tenten asked as Ino and Sakura also waited for her answer.
"Well, I feel excited. And I'm happy that Naruto-kun and I are starting to have a family of our own" she said with a smile.
"Yeah? Though raising a kid isn't an easy job," Temari remarked, "Shikadai almost kept Shikamaru and I all night long with all his crying. I think I'm gonna break if he starts to walk or run"
"Oh c'mon Tema-chan! Even so! Shika-kun is still so cute! He's got Shikamaru's looks and your eyes. He's a perfect combination of the both of you. And I hope the Uzumaki's little one will be cute too" Ino remarked, forever ranting on her excitement.
"Ino if you're that excited why not have your own?" Sakura joked.
"Whatever forehead. Same goes with you" she said sticking her tongue out.
"Oh shut up Ino-pig" Sakura growled.
"Well at least Ino has point," Temari said interrupting the two who have been exchanging glares, "Does that Uchiha have some plans on settling down?"
"Tema-chan's right. Sakura, you two have been dating right?" Tenten asked, biting a dango she's been eating.
"Yeah, but I think—"
"This isn't the time? Well then when? We aren't getting younger here" Temari said.
"Well I dunno. I think it's best for it to come naturally" the pinkette said and with that the girls dropped the topic and sighed. The rest of the night was either filled with congratulations or teases. All in all everyone had a blast
~End of Chapter 1~
-Sorry for the long wait! I got stuck in the middle part and I don't know how to continue and I had to rummage to my head just to have it finished. And now it's done! How's that! Well for those who haven't read the prequel (Something Precious) please read it too! ;) REVIEWS PLEEEAAASSE! I wuv them ;3
*EDITED 11/9/14
