CHAPTER 18 - While he's gone

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January

Kakashi had warned Naruto about his upcoming mission in January. Naruto had assumed it would be immediately after the New Year but here he was in Suna while Hinata was probably creeping into her 20th week of pregnancy.

Naruto's hand tightened around his drink.

Wow. Five months.

He was probably only a week and a half into his mission. Kakashi had told him it would be three weeks long but he wasted no time traveling here. He would do everything he could to keep it as short as possible.

He had promised Hinata two weeks. And he always kept his promises.

Fortunately for him, Gaara wasn't as lazy when it came to Kage duties as Kakashi-sensei. While Gaara was doing his thing Naruto took some time to meet with other important people, create bonds where he could, connections when possible. All that political nonsense.

Two weeks.

He would be leaving soon.

The Sand Siblings knew it too. That's why he found himself at a small bar and restaurant with the three shinobi of Sunagakure.

"Yo, Naruto, word on the street is you're engaged?" Kankuro asked as he ordered another round of drinks for the table.

Naruto grinned, momentarily pulled from his thoughts. "Hell yeah! I'm engaged." He ran his fingers across the red fabric of his scarf. "She made me this actually. And..." He unfurled some of the loops and hidden under the scarf, attached to a simple necklace was a solid band.

"You got a girl?" Kankuro asked, glancing briefly at the small piece of jewelry, his eyebrows raised and his cheeks flushed from the alcohol.

Temari snorted. "Obviously. We just established that."

"Congratulations, Naruto," Gaara said kindly. "You of all people deserve it."

Naruto's smile broadened as he slapped the Kazekage on the back. "Thanks, Gaara!"

"So are we invited to the wedding?" Temari asked with a smirk.

"Hold on, hold on," Kankuro interrupted. "You got a girl?"

Naruto laughed at the expression on Temari's face. Like she was resisting the urge to smack her brother.

"I think he's trying to ask, what girl," Gaara deduced quietly. "Who."

"Yeah, that's right," Kankuro nodded a little too enthusiastically. "Who? What girl said yes to mister orange pants over here?"

"Hey!" Naruto exclaimed. "She happens to like my orange, thank you very much."

"Oh really? She ever tell you that?" Temari teased.

Naruto narrowed his eyes, thinking for a moment. Huh. Maybe not.

Kankuro burst out laughing. "C'mon. Who's the lucky lady?"

"Hinata," Naruto said softly, a fond smile on his face.

"Hmmm…" Kankuro seemed to be thinking hard. "Hinata. Hi-na-ta. Hinata?"

"Oh, that Hyuga girl," Temari remembered. "The quiet one?"

Naruto grinned. "That's the one."

"Ohhhh," Kankuro seemed to brighten, his lips quirking up in a smirk. "The hot one!"

Wait...HUH?!

Naruto glared at the tattooed man. "Wha-"

"Forgive my brother," Gaara said with a sigh, arms crossed. "He may have indulged a little too much."

"Please, I don't need to be drunk to appreciate a good looking woman," Kankuro said as Temari not so subtly dragged his drink away from him.

Naruto was quiet as he sat there silently fuming. Yeah, Hinata was good looking. Obviously he knew that but damn, this Kankuro-

He scowled, fingers tightening around his glass.

"She's the tiny one, right?" Kankuro went on, raising his hand in the air at her estimated height. "Got those classic Hyuga eyes. All pretty, big, and mysterious. Fantastic curves," he continued waving his hands smoothly through the air, mimicking an hourglass shape. Naruto glowered but the puppet user didn't seem to notice. "Dark hair. Was pretty long the last time I saw her-"

"When did you even see her?" Naruto found himself asking, his frown still a prominent feature on his face. "I don't remember you guys visiting Konoha recently-"

"Oh yeah, it wasn't that recent. But I visited Konoha a year or two ago? Before the war? Doesn't matter," Kankura explained, leaning back into his chair, a sly grin on his face. "Hinata was showing me around 'cuz the place was being rebuilt, you know? The Hokage's orders. I asked her out-"

"You what?"

Suddenly Naruto's hand was wet and he looked down, wincing at the sight of broken glass.

Stay calm, Kurama growled in his mind.

I AM CALM.

Naruto could hear Kurama's mirthful laughter.

He really, really wanted to ask if Hinata said yes. If she agreed to a date. But he also didn't want to know.

Temari seemed to catch on to his inner turmoil because she raised an eyebrow. "She said no. Obviously."

"I know that," Naruto said, his voice cracking. He blushed. Deep inside he knew. Of course he knew.

Thank fucking god-

Hinata wouldn't… not with Kankuro.

Not that Kankuro was a bad guy. He was pretty cool actually. Just...not right now. Not when he thought Hinata was hot and actually asked her out.

"We're engaged," Naruto needlessly pointed out. "As in, we're going to get married. Hinata's engaged to me, 'ttebayo."

Kankuro sniggered, Temari smiled, and Naruto even felt Gaara shift beside him.

"I'm joking, Naruto," Kankuro laughed loudly.

"About which part?" Naruto questioned, leaning forward across the table as he continued to list the obvious. "We live together now, ya know? Hinata. Hinata lives with me. We're engaged. She's my fiancé."

The puppet user wiped at the corner of his eyes, clearly finding a lot of amusement in all of this.

"I'm messing with you," he clarified. "Joking around. There's truth to all of it but I'm telling you just to mess with you."

Temari pinched the bridge of her nose, whispering something under her breath that sounded suspiciously like boys.

"But I'm not lying about her being hot," Kankuro muttered under his breath just loud enough to reach Naruto's ears. "Or having been shut down by her-"

"Man-"

"Naruto, he's trying to rile you up," Temari said with a sigh.

He knew that. He just couldn't help the visceral reaction he got.

"Just have some respect for her alright?" Naruto relented, wiping up his spilled drink a little more aggressively than necessary.

"Oh, I definitely wasn't trying to disrespect her," Kankuro said apologetically. "She's nice. I know that."

"We really are happy for you," Gaara said, a calming presence at the table.

Temari's sharp eyes were on Kankuro. "Aren't we?"

"Yeah!" Kankuro insisted. "We are! I am! Jeez, take a joke. I still want to come to the wedding. I swear, I give great gifts."

"Only if I'm invited to Shikamaru and Temari's wedding," Naruto said innocently, glancing at the blonde woman with sneaky eyes.

He never really saw Temari blush but today he did. This earned another large laugh from Kankuro and even Gaara smiled.

"If he finds the energy to even ask her," Kankuro snickered. "Scary smart but lazy as hell-"

Temari moved fast, the palm of her hand finding home on the back of Kankuro's head. Naruto could practically see the vein on her forehead twitching as Kankuro nursed his wound.

Okay. Note to self. Only she can tease Shikamaru-

"This isn't about me," Temari said, her cheeks still pink. "I'd rather hear more about Naruto's life, thanks."

He did have one more update to give them. He wasn't sure how to go about telling them this. The engagement was easier. The other half…? He didn't expect them to judge him. And he was sure some type of rumor had probably spread after the incident during the Rinne Festival.

"Uhh, so, we're...we're also having a baby," Naruto admitted, hand on the nape of his neck and a sheepish grin on his face.

He didn't see any reason for beating around the bush. It wasn't his style anyway.

Temari's mouth fell open in undisguised shock. Kankuro's eyes widened. And if Gaara had eyebrows Naruto was sure they would have flown into Gaara's hairline.

"Hold on- is that why you're engaged?" Kankuro blurted out uninhibitedly. "'Cuz you knocked her up?"

"No!" Naruto denied venomously. "No! We're engaged because we want to be. I love her-"

"Damn, couldn't keep it in your pants huh?"

Naruto felt his face heat up.

"Kankuro," Gaara spoke, his voice steady yet firm. It was a subtle warning. Not to cross the line into vulgar discourtesy.

"Don't be rude," Temari hissed.

"Sorry, sorry," Kankuro held up his hands. "Congrats though. Another Uzumaki brat huh? And a Hyuga." He whistled. "Imagine the genes in that kid."

Naruto knew he meant nothing negative by his words. He knew Kankuro was just being brash and honest. But something struck a chord.

His baby was special to him for just the simple fact that it was his and Hinata's kid. But he knew people were after it for precisely what Kankuro said- it's genes.

It seemed the Sand Siblings noticed his change in demeanor because they quieted.

"Are you alright, Naruto?" Gaara asked.

Naruto cleared his throat. "Uh, yeah. Just worried, ya know? She's alone and...yeah."

He just wanted her to be safe.

"How many months pregnant is she?" Temari asked curiously.

"Um, probably right about five months now," Naruto huffed out a soft laugh, rubbing gently at his chest to calm his beating heart.

Damn, he missed Hinata.

He missed her baby bump too. He missed waking up beside her and showering her with kisses before moving down to whisper words of affection to the growing life inside her.

Not that much time had passed but with everything going on...

He wanted to be beside her. Make sure she was okay. Make sure she was taken care of. That their baby was growing properly.

"She's strong," Temari said gently. "From what I remember. We all saw you holding hands with her during the war so I can't say I'm really surprised."

Naruto flushed.

Was it that obvious to everyone but him?

Yes.

"Took you long enough is more like it," Kankuro joked.

"Hey!" Naruto defended halfheartedly.

That was still a sore subject. One that lessened the more time he had with Hinata but sore nonetheless.

"Is that the reason you had been pestering me so much to get the scroll finished?" Gaara asked. "To get home?"

Naruto laughed awkwardly. "Maybe?"

"You should have told me sooner," the Kazekage said. "I would have worked harder."

"Nah! You're fine," Naruto said truthfully. "The mission finished faster than I thought anyway. I should be leaving tomorrow and be back before she knows it. I promised her two weeks and I intend to keep that promise."

"Well, I'm glad you decided to share a drink with us," Kankuro said honestly.

"Yes, and give Hinata our heartfelt congratulations too," Temari added.

"Thanks," Naruto said with a grin. "I promised Gaara a drink anyway. It's tradition now."

They fell into easy conversation after that. Eventually, Naruto confessed to them about the rest of the situation revolving around the pregnancy. The cult and the constant looming threat. They were worried as expected and offered help in any way they could but Naruto knew there was nothing they could really do.

There wasn't much any of them could do but wait.

He hated it.

He was an impulsive person by nature. Waiting felt unnatural.

Despite the great company and fun conversations, he just wanted to be home.

He wondered what Hinata was up to.

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A few days ago

When Hinata woke up that morning she didn't expect to be cooking for two.

Well, being pregnant maybe she was always cooking for two? Eating for two?

But excluding the growing baby inside of her and the fact that Naruto was supposed to be on a mission that the Hokage estimated to be three weeks long she didn't expect to have company come over for lunch.

And yet here she was, opening the door to the apartment she shared with Naruto only to see his best friend standing at the entrance.

"Sasuke-kun!" Hinata exclaimed, surprised. "Um, how are you? I'm sorry but Naruto-kun's on a mission right now."

"I know," he said. "I just recently came back from my own. Sakura told me."

"Oh?"

Sakura had been by a few times since Naruto had been sent off on his mission. In fact, a lot of their friends had stopped by here and there.

Sasuke said nothing. He gave no indication as to why he was suddenly at her doorstep despite the fact that Naruto wasn't home.

"Um, is there anything I can help you with?" Hinata asked.

Sasuke's eyes flickered behind her and his nose twitched

"You're cooking," he said. It was a statement, not a question.

She started. "Oh yes! Would you like to come in? I made enough for the both of us."

She didn't add that she had been ravenously hungry of late- something she knew she could blame on her pregnancy.

She half expected Sasuke to refuse her offer of lunch so was a little surprised when he nodded and stepped over the threshold, curiously and almost cautiously following her into the kitchen.

"It's not ready yet," she said a little flustered as the Uchiha stood awkwardly in her kitchen. "If you're already hungry maybe I can-"

"It's fine," he said. "I'll wait."

Confused but undeterred Hinata turned back to the stove. She still had no idea why he was here. She didn't necessarily mind it was just...odd.

"Please have a seat, Sasuke-kun," Hinata said as she checked on the tonkatsu frying away. "The meal isn't very healthy," she admitted, feeling her ears go red. "I've been craving fried food."

He was silent for a while and Hinata started to feel uncomfortable in the silence. He was just so different from Naruto. Naruto would be hovering all over the kitchen, wondering if he could help, making an occasional mess of things.

Sasuke could have been the paint on the wall for all he was saying.

"Naruto often praises your cooking," Sasuke finally said.

Hinata glanced over her shoulder. "Does he?"

Sasuke nodded.

She turned her attention back to the fire, a small smile on her face. "I hope you like tempura, Sasuke-kun. I was planning on making that as well."

"Hn."

"Is there anything you particularly enjoy? I can maybe whip something up-"

"Don't go through the trouble," he said stiffly. A beat. "I'm sure I'll enjoy what you make."

The sizzling sound of oil and batter drifted in the air as Hinata gently dropped a few tempura battered vegetables into the heat. She heard the beep of the rice cooker and was about to go check on it when she felt Sasuke approach, pressing a few buttons on the machine.

"Oh you don't have to-"

"I don't mind," he said. A few seconds passed before he spoke again. "A large portion of my younger years I had to cook for myself. And Sakura...Sakura hasn't always had an affinity for cooking."

Hinata giggled. "I'm sure she's improved over time."

Sasuke inclined his head with a small upturn of his lips. "She has."

Her gaze returned to the browning food in front of her as she quickly scooped the fried vegetables onto a plate.

"Sakura-chan has asked me for recipes over the past few years, you know," she said softly. "She always wanted to learn different ways she could prepare tomatoes. Or was determined to perfect a very specific onigiri recipe." She glanced at him pleased to see a humbled expression on his face.

He said nothing but he didn't have to. Hinata could read past the silence. Growing up with the Hyuga made her skilled in that much.

They worked in silence and soon she had a small spread for them on the table. She sat across from him eating slowly. He was never one for conversation and she was used to silences in the Hyuga compound.

But still. She was curious.

"Sasuke-kun?"

"Hm?"

"Um, well, I'm delighted you came to visit and you're enjoying my food," she said bashfully. "But, I was wondering. Why are you here?"

His dark eyes met hers and for the first time she felt fidgety. His stare was intense but she could sense a curiosity in his gaze.

She maintained eye contact. She refused to be the first one to break.

Sasuke blinked.

"Naruto cares about the village," he said slowly. "And when Naruto isn't around it feels like it's my duty to watch over it."

He said nothing more and Hinata carefully considered his words.

What he said made sense to her. Sasuke and Naruto were both extremely powerful and, in many ways, balanced each other out.

Though Sasuke made it sound like he was doing what he was doing because of Naruto's love for the village, Hinata had a feeling he still held some affection for his childhood home as well.

Regardless of all that... he hadn't answered her question.

"Yes, but-"

"Naruto cares about you," Sasuke said, his eyes flickering down to his plate. "And he's not here to make sure you and your baby are okay."

Hinata felt her cheeks turn pink.

"Oh."

She had a feeling all of her friends were making daily visits when they were available for this precise reason. The not so subtle threat from the cult had everyone on edge. Her close friend's actions made sense. It got to a point where it could oftentimes be suffocating but Sasuke wasn't usually the type to linger around.

She was flattered.

Once again, Sasuke made it sound like he was here for Naruto. But she knew it wasn't just for him.

She smiled, her light eyes connecting with his dark ones.

"Thank you, Sasuke-kun. I consider you my friend as well."

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Almost two weeks had gone by since Naruto left on his mission to Suna. She was doing fine, despite the worry on Naruto's face the time he had to go. She remembered the moment well-

.

"Ah, you sure you'll be okay, Hinata?" Naruto had asked, arms wrapped around her as he held her tightly.

"I'll be fine, Naruto-kun," she had consoled, rubbing her hands up and down his broad back.

"Mm, maybe I should ask Kakashi-sensei to send someone else-"

Hinata pushed away from him, giving him a stern glare. "You're going, Naruto-kun. This is a job you should be doing, not anyone else-"

"But-"

"We'll be fine," she said, now smiling softly, her hands resting on her rounded stomach.

Naruto pouted. "How can I leave when you're so cute?"

"The faster you leave, the faster you can come back," Hinata teased.

Naruto perked slightly but his eyes still held some genuine sadness. "I don't want to miss anything," he admitted.

She stepped forward, cupping his cheeks in her hands and pressing her lips against his in a chaste kiss.

"I'll still be here," she said. "Our baby will still be here. Growing. Waiting for Tou-chan to come back home."

"Tou-chan…" Naruto whispered, his eyes suddenly glistening. "Wow."

Hinata smiled kindly, taking his hand to press it against her stomach.

"I can feel flutters, Naruto-kun," she said quietly. "Maybe by the time you're back our baby will be strong enough that you can feel them too."

His mouth was open as he gently rubbed small circles along her bump.

When he pulled away his eyes were fierce. An adamant expression had taken over his face.

"Two weeks, Hinata," he promised. "I'll be back in two weeks."

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"Two weeks…" Hinata whispered to herself.

She really hoped he wasn't pushing himself too hard. She knew he wanted to be back for a lot of reasons. Because he was worried about her...because he didn't want to miss any baby milestones…

But if what he said was true...he should be back in the next day or two.

Now, normally two weeks wouldn't really be that long. She had survived much longer without him. Things were just different now. With their blossoming relationship and child on the way...

She felt a little giddy.

And a little guilty.

She hoped he was staying healthy and safe.

She knew it might be a little naive...but she truly felt like the cult wouldn't bother her. Not yet. Their ultimate goal was her child. They wouldn't hurt her and risk hurting their supposed key.

Hinata caressed her stomach as she stared out the window, watching the falling snow. The sun had set and the sky was dark. She had opened the window a crack to allow a small breeze to fill the room. She shivered, wrapping herself tighter in Naruto's sweater.

She blushed, wondering what he would have thought of her new habit. A few days after Naruto had left she saw his orange sweater folded up in the closet and decided...why not? Their apartment wasn't necessarily cold but it wasn't as warm without Naruto there to share his body heat so…

She reached over to pull the window closed before slipping into bed with a quiet sigh.

The bed always did feel too big and awfully lonely without him. She slid over to his side of the bed as she had done every night for the past several days, burying her nose in his pillow.

She felt restless but she was tired.

She thought of Naruto and fell asleep easily.

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Naruto was exhausted.

Normally the travel to and from Suna from Konoha would take three days. He cut that down in half by sacrificing sleep and borrowing chakra from Kurama.

You're welcome, the fox growled. Not sure I approve of this but you're welcome.

Gotta make sure they're safe, Kurama.

The Kyubi just grumbled but he knew the understanding was mutual.

Naruto grinned, seeing the familiar walls of his hometown through the gaps in the trees, suddenly bolstered with newfound energy.

Hinata…

Flashing his forehead protector and a quick grin at the guards stationed at the gates, Naruto didn't wait before running even faster to get home.

Home.

He felt his heart thudding rapidly in his chest- from both the exertion on his body and his excitement. He slowed only when he reached the door, quieting his footsteps and calming his breathing.

Hinata had to be asleep at this hour and as much as he wanted to hear her voice and feel her arms around him he knew he should let her rest.

He crept into their home silently, not even a creak from the door. He was a ninja after all. He even resisted whispering, "tadaima" even though he absolutely loved to hear Hinata say okaeri.

Naruto slipped off his shoes and stripped off his jacket as he moved towards their shared bedroom. As predicted, Hinata was sound asleep.

Part of him was surprised she hadn't even budged but he remembered what she had said about feeling tired all the time even when she was only in her first trimester. He remembered what she said about her chakra shifting to the baby.

It worried him but he was back now. He would be here for her.

He stared at the lumpy covers that were Hinata, smiling to himself when he realized she was on his side. His first instinct was to just curl up beside her but his journey back was long and arduous. He definitely needed a shower before pressing up close to her.

Just as quietly he moved towards the bathroom, rubbing his body of sweat, dirt, and filth until his skin was warm from the hot water. Slipping on a pair of sweatpants and deciding to forgo a shirt he finally snuck back into the bedroom, creeping over to the narrow sliver that was left of his side of the bed and lifting the covers.

The shift in temperature caused Hinata to twitch, her eyebrows furrowing together cutely.

It made his heart flutter.

There was hardly any room left on this side of the mattress but he didn't care. Now he was being a bit selfish. He wanted her close. He perched himself onto the bed, scooting his arms around her just as her eyes fluttered open. Even half asleep she knew he was no threat.

"Naruto-kun?" she whispered as he gently shifted her over only to pull her back close to his chest.

Hm. She felt bulkier than usual.

A quick glance down and-

Orange.

A lot of orange reflecting from the moon's rays.

"I'm home," he said softly, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

She hummed, burying her head into his chest. "Welcome home."

His heart thumped as it usually did when he heard those words.

"You're wearing my sweater," he murmured, cherishing the feeling of having her in his arms again.

"It's warm," she said with a yawn. "And it smells like you. It's comforting."

He felt an odd satisfaction bubble inside of him that he quickly tapered down.

"Sorry to wake you," he said, running his fingers gently through her hair.

"No, I'm glad," she whispered, her fingers curled around his back. "You promised two weeks."

"And I kept that promise, didn't I?"

"I didn't doubt it," she breathed. "You're a man of your word, Naruto-kun."

He held her tighter, relieved that nothing had happened while he was gone. She was here. Safe and sound. In his arms. They could discuss the time while he was gone in the morning.

Right now he was tired. She was tired.

And it felt like they had all the time in the world.

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Author's Note:

Later update than usual for me- sorry! ICU has been hectic (I'm a resident doctor). We're getting more COVID patients but in general it's just been a rough week lol.

Anyways, everyone expected something to happen while Naruto was gone hehe not this chapter...but we're approaching the end!

Please leave a comment- thank you to those who do! I had honestly forgotten about this because I was swamped with work but seeing those email notifications reminded me - so the one day off I get means an update for you all!

Hope you guys enjoy it!