Hello readers!
Seeing how I'm done with my schooling for now I'm able to do more things and that means update more often.
Please read and review!
Now onwards my dears!
Uzumaki Naruto was not the type of person to ponder over simple things.
But that's exactly what he was doing right now. He knew that he probably should be working on his ever growing pile of documents; but that was the last thing on his mind.
Hyuga Hiashi had paid a visit to his office earlier that day requesting that he leave for Suna. Naruto knew that Hiashi was up to something as he never liked him for being a monster to Hinata. But he couldn't just brush him off either he was still the head of the Hyuga after all. So when he asked him why, Hiashi stated that he wanted to visit to negotiate matters concerning his daughters. That of course made Naruto even more suspicious that Hiashi was up to something. He tried to question him further but he got no response. In a very polite manner the blonde had dismissed him under the impression that he would think it over. Now he was trying to come to some sort of conclusion in his head.
As Hokage, Naruto had been forced to grow up in different ways. Sure he aged over time as it was but with his role came great responsibility and that was something that he had worked hard for. Should he back down now, he'd basically be throwing his life away.
Shikamaru of course was no help either. Since professing his love to Temari the Nara had been spending more and more time in Suna. Naruto had no hard feelings for his friend being in love but Shikamaru was his personal advisor, he always looked to him when he needed help and for the first time Naruto didn't have that sort of support.
Had the problem been much simpler he probably wouldn't have needed Shikamaru's help in the first place; Naruto knew that something was up with the Hyuga and he knew that he was being left in the dark.
The blonde Hokage knew that it wasn't his business to get involved but if it had something to do with the village that's when he took notice. A few days earlier he had tried to speak to Neji about the Hyuga's dilemma and he didn't get any good information other then the fact that it somehow involved Gaara and Hinata. Naruto, being friends with both of them immediately showed concern. When it came to protecting those dear to him Naruto took his bonds with other very seriously.
If by some change the Hyuga started a war between Konoha and Suna all hell would break loose.
Gaara was one of Naruto's dearest friends they had been working together for years now. While he was positive that his friend would listen to reason both of them knew, that for the sake's of their villages and political matters peace had to be maintained. They had always relied on each other in the past, should the bonds of friendship be severed it would take a very long time to put the shattered pieces back together.
Placing a hand on his head all he could do was sigh in frustration as he continued to think.
Shikamaru was reviewing some charts trying to come to some sort of conclusion in his head. He was still bewildered to the sudden death of Matsuri that had happened months ago; and now with the appearance of a woman that looked similar to her something didn't add up. Fortunately he wasn't the only one that thought this way. His soon-to-be redheaded brother in law also was following his train of thought.
He would much rather spend time with his fiancé in planning a wedding rather than deal with past matters. But occasionally a feeling would stir inside of him and more often than not stick with him until he did something about it and that exactly what he was going to do. It was a shitty feeling that drove him crazy but it was one of those things Shikamaru had learned to accept about himself.
"This is so troublesome". He huffed a bit before walking down the halls looking for someone in particular.
Gaara was currently staring out of the windows to his office. It was rare for him to sit back and take a moment to gather his thoughts especially since all the political matters in Suna had sky rocketed. He had so many problems that all needed his attention and there was only so much of him to go around.
One of the main problems was dealing with matters that concerned the Hyuga. He had received a letter from Naruto asking for an explanation as to why he was involved with the predicament. Gaara had to be a little sympathetic towards his friend and he could see how Naruto would want to know all about it. But he still thought that it was best for now if he didn't give him all the details. Gaara was aware of Naruto's over protectiveness and the last thing he wanted was for his closest friend to be involved in a matter that may or may not have to concern him yet.
He had been forced to respond to give Naruto the impression that he needn't trouble himself with the issue and that he had everything under control in Suna.
Gaara really didn't like to lie, but in this case it was needed to keep the peace.
Hiashi had been attacking him from every angle demanding that his daughters return to him. Of course there was a limit as too how far he could go. Suna was still an ally for Konoha and if Hiashi wanted to start a crisis between them he'd better choose his next move carefully. So that's why Gaara sat in his office chair staring out the window trying to deal with fathoms that plagued his mind. He was already stressed as it was, and with Hinata heavily pregnant it would mean that soon he wouldn't have time to deal with trivial things his wife needed him and he knew this; but he was frustrated with himself for having to put her aside to deal with his village.
"Gaara I need to chat with you".
His future brother-in-law appeared in his office in front of his desk without a warning. This caught him off guard for a moment but now he was completely focused on Shikamaru. He wouldn't interrupt him unless it was something important.
"Speak then".
"Well I'll just start from the beginning".
"Hokage-sama I insist that you allow me to travel to Suna".
Naruto had no choice but to listen as Hiashi rambled on. He would much rather be with Sakura then have to sit in the lector room of the Hyuga mansion debating but he was still Hokage and when it came to clan matters, sometimes he'd have to have a say in what happens.
"For the last time the answer is no!"
Hiashi had spared him no details on what had been happening, but he was smart enough to leave out the part of him striking Hinata. Naruto would throw a fit should that little piece slip out.
"May I remind you that Hinata and Hanabi are my daughters, and as their father I know what's best for them they must come home at once!".
"Aw that's sweet, but like I said the answer is still no. I don't want to start any conflict with Suna and from the way you're talking it sounds like you've been picking on Gaara!". The blonde had to remind himself to take deep breaths to calm down he was getting way too worked up and he knew it. But he couldn't help himself to begin with; Naruto didn't deal with stress well and this was one of those times when his anxiety was showing. It was taking all he had in him not to punch a hole through the wall.
"Hokage-sama with all do respect I am only wishing to improve upon the relationship that exists between our two villages. The Hyuga have been tied into this bond and as clan leader it will be my responsibility to see to it that all is well".
Naruto scowled a bit "What the hell are you talking about?! Don't think you can't fool me!".
If Hiashi wanted to go there, Naruto would show him no mercy. He was still an imposing figure after all and anyone who had the right to insult a Kage had some nerve; that was something Naruto couldn't tolerate not only for his image but for his personal believes as well.
Hiashi opened his mouth to protest but Naruto raised his hand silencing him.
"Don't you start! I may not be able to know what you're thinking, but I can tell you that as Hokage I make certain rules that must be obeyed. With all due respect I am fully aware of the Hyuga's importance to Konoha but I cannot allow you to decide the fate of what happens to Hinata and Hanabi. I will allow them to stay in Suna under Gaara's care. I have no intensions of brining up trouble where it doesn't belong".
The blonde narrowed his eyes "Keep the fuck away from Suna! If I hear even one word of your presence interfering with Gaara's business then you'll have to answer to me!".
The Hokage rudely excused himself fuming all the way to his apartment that he shared with his soon-to-be-wife. He was pissed at the moment and Naruto really wished that he didn't have to be involved with ridiculous matters concerning the Hyuga but from the way Hiashi was acting; he had no choice but to step in. He'd have to keep a close watch over him. He made a promise to Gaara that he'd assist him in protecting Hinata, and Naruto was a man that never backed out of any promise.
Sakura could tell that something was wrong when her fiancé walked through the door with a deep scowl on his face. He looked like he wanted to kill someone; his blue eyes were swimming with emotions. In her head she wanted to talk to him, but having known him for years she knew that he needed to be alone for a while. If Sakura was really honest with herself she was worried for him deeply. She loved Naruto, she really did and she felt bad that at times she couldn't support him in tough decisions that didn't involve her. Now was one of those times; she knew that it was best if she stayed out of the Hyuga's business but if it meant seeing her future husband this way it only concerned her more.
"Damn them! Who the hell do they think they are?!"
She could hear him ranting from their bedroom, and this time she knew she had to step in. If she didn't calm him down he could tear up the whole apartment.
"Those little bastards, thinking they can have control over me! I'm the Hokage for Kami's sake! They have to listen to me!" Sakura sighed a little when she walked in to the bedroom seeing Naruto acting like a bratty child. She approached him from behind wrapping her arms around his torso; almost instantly he settled down and she hugged him tighter. "Don't do that". "Do what?" "You know what I mean". The blonde didn't say anything as he took a moment to regain his composure "I'm sorry" she smiled a little "I know you are". "That Hiashi really gets on my nerves though, I know that I'm not supposed to deal with matters involving the Hyuga. But that guy is practically forcing me to keep an eye on him. I don't want him to hurt Hinata".
"She'll be fine my love, she's in Suna with Gaara".
"That's not what worries me".
"Hmmm then what does?"
Naruto turned around and took Sakura in his arms "Her father wants to go to Suna, and I have a strong hunch that if he does something will happen".
"Is that how it is?"
"Unfortunately, I can't say for sure. But I promised Gaara that I'd help him look after her and with Hinata pregnant and all it's only making matters more complicated".
The future wife of the Hokage cupped his cheek. "I'm sure that everything will turn out fine. You're a strong person Naruto and I'm sure that you'll have everything under control".
They smiled tenderly at each other.
Hyuga Neji was sitting on the roof to his girlfriend's small apartment. He was in deep thought, he had been trying for months to get his stubborn uncle to let him become next in line for the Hyuga title but Hiashi was refusing in any way possible.
He knew that he should be inside with Tenten but he had other things that bothered him. His girlfriend was getting very impatient with him, Tenten hated to have secrets kept from her and she knew that Neji was hiding something but no matter how hard she tried, he wouldn't tell her. This of course was putting a strain on their relationship; and though he had assured her he still loved her. It was gradually starting to get to a point where fights would break out between them.
A few times now he debated with himself whether or not to go back to Suna and, check up on his cousins. He was positive that Hanabi was behaving and with the baby coming soon Hinata was definitely in for a long run.
He hadn't seen them in a long time, he still got letters from both informing him of what had been happening. But other than that he had no physical contact with them in months. He was still worried about Hanabi, she was the kind of person that stuck to her decisions no matter what; he couldn't say if she changed her mind but he was praying that she realized her mistakes and learned something from them, it was for her own good anyway.
"Neji are you still up there?!"
He sighed briefly and leapt down "Sorry I was thinking again".
Tenten frowned "Again!? What had been going on?! You're not acting like yourself!".
"We've already been through this".
The brunette frowned even more and this time tears were apparent. "Don't you start that shit again! Something is clearly bothering you, and I want the truth! This can't go on, how much longer do you intend to hide things from me. I'm fully aware of what you do! You spend days on end locked up in that mansion and then when you finally come out you look as troubled as ever; I heard that Naruto even spoke with Hiashi today about some issue! What is going on Neji why won't you tell me?!"
He hadn't said a word as he let her yell at him. He knew that she was frustrated and he didn't blame her. But she would have no part in this, it was for the better.
"Tenten try to calm down" he finally said after a while as he took his sobbing girlfriend in his arms.
"Why? Why won't you tell me? I thought that you loved me".
He resisted the urge to sigh as he rubbed circles into her back. To say that he didn't feel guilty would be lying. Tenten had always been his closest companion even before they started dating. She always had his back no matter what and it took him a long time to realize that. He couldn't lose her, she was the only one that ever understood him even just a little.
"I do love you Tenten, believe me I do. But for your own safety I can't tell you everything...not yet at least". She looked up at him with watery eyes "What does that mean? Why can't you tell me?"
"Because it concerns only the Hyuga and myself. I don't want to drag you into this, it would only cause more trouble. I'm doing this for your own good Tenten. My clan has never taken the easy way to deal with anything; I'm trying my best to stop it before it's too late. Please do not ask me about this again; I swear I'm not trying to hurt you I'm trying to protect you and Hinata and Hanabi".
She still didn't know what her boyfriend meant. But she did trust him, Neji rarely lied but when he did it was with good intensions. Wiping her remaining tears from her damp cheeks she looked at him with dull eyes. "Alright I'll take your word for it. I won't ask again but please Neji in the future if this ever gets resolved I want you to tell me everything".
At last she had come to reason and for that he was grateful he pressed his forehead against hers "I will, I promise I will".
"So it's like that is it".
Shikamaru nodded "I'm afraid so, these tests I supervised proved it".
Gaara pinched the bridge of his nose mumbling angrily to himself. Shikamaru was a genius and he knew that the results he looked over with him had to be correct.
"Dammit!" He hissed, this just made this a whole lot more complicated.
Shikamaru had a worrisome look on his face for Gaara. He definitely would feel the same way if he was in his shoes. "What are you going to do?" the red head groaned a little in annoyance "I don't know, I really don't". "I'll help you, I will conduct more tests...it won't be easy but I'll try".
Gaara nodded at his future brother-in-law. He could've said something to prevent him from doing any further work. But knowing Shikamaru he wouldn't stop till he cleared his conscious of the matter.
"Thank you Shikamaru".
The Nara smiled a little "Don't mention it".
The red-head then excused himself to find his wife. It was late and he needed to rest, though he wasn't even sure he could do that. Not when a threat was waiting for him. He made a mental note to hold back on telling Hinata he wasn't certain for sure if what he was told was true for the most part. And he didn't want to give her false information, so he decided to tell her another time when Shikamaru had more evidence to back him up. Eventually he found his wife sleeping peacefully under several blankets. It was always freezing at night, and she looked so relaxed as she slept soundly.
He was still in thought as he removed his clothes and entered the shower. The hot water helped a lot; he needed to clear his mind for now. When he finished up in the bathroom he wore nothing but some pajama pants and carefully slipped into bed beside her. Almost instantly Hinata snuggled into him enjoying the warmth of his body.
He stayed like that for a while, his arms wrapped around her while his hand rested against her large stomach feeling the baby growing inside.
He wouldn't mess up, he couldn't allow himself too. His future son or daughter was coming very soon and he couldn't allow anything to happen to his child or his wife. It would be difficult and he needed more evidence, but Gaara knew that something was about to happen and he wasn't sure if whether or not he was fully prepared for it.
He buried his nose in his wife's hair briefly lost by the smell of lavender "I will protect you and our child no matter what I promise". That was all Gaara said before he finally lost the battle with sleep.
I hoped that you enjoyed it.
I'm sorry it came a little late, but I was a bit lazy for the past few days.
I should have the next chapter up soon. But I have one other story that I'm dying to finish so I may have to put this one on hold just for a day or two.
Until next time my lovelies!
And don't forget to review!
