Chapter 17

So, it's been a few years hasn't it? XD

I've had a baby and got engaged during that time :o

Treated myself to a new laptop and decided to get back into my writing 3

I hope you enjoy the final chapter of this story!

"Naruto?" I ask quietly, taking one step closer as Kiba was too distracted to notice his grip on me had slipped.

Naruto shifts slightly and turns to look at me directly, his blood red eyes piercing mine as he stares expressionless. I wasn't sure what to do, his look making me too scared to move. Kiba was frozen too and being slightly glad he had left Akamaru at home.

"Tell me, what can I do?" I whisper as I tremble unsure of his next move and worried what he might do next with Shizuko only down the hall.

I notice movement in the corner of my eye and I quickly look to see Hinata slowly waking up. She starts whimpering from the pain she's currently in but I can tell she's trying not to make too much noise. Too late, the whimpering was enough to make Naruto move his attention towards her and he stands up slowly. He begins to make his way towards her all the while his expression staying emotionless.

Hinata mumbles "N-No, please, it's n-not real..."

What does she mean? My brain searches for answers as Naruto moves closer to her.

"Kyuubi." Orders Kiba, his voice so deep he sounds like a different person. Naruto stops dead in his tracks, giving a low growl, he slowly turns towards Kiba with his sharp teeth visible. His lips are red and bloodied from the canines cutting the skin.

"Shizuko." Says Naruto, his voice a mix of his own and a hint of the demon. I feel his chakra get stronger at the mention of her name, my feet telling me to run over to him.

"I-It wasn't r-real," Hinata says breathlessly, "P-Please, I-I'm so s-sorry..."

"You've tried to hurt this family too many times," Naruto/Kyuubi begins, "and too many times we've let you walk free,"

He makes some hand gestures and I see a shadow wrap itself around Hinata's face, smothering her as she scratches at her head trying to break free. "Now, you can feel the fear that my sweet innocent child felt in her last moments as you took her breath away," Naruto growls as he curls his hand into a fist and causes the shadow to tighten around Hinata's head.

"Wait, Naruto!" I shout, desperately wanting to hear her explanation. I finally run over to him and hold him tightly from behind. I notice a change in his chakra as I did this. He tries to push me off but, using all of my strength, I manage to cling onto him. "Please, I need you to calm down!"

Naruto turns quickly to grip my neck and lifts me into the air, his claws piercing and pinching at my skin, "She's dead! She's fucking DEAD!"

His natural face breaks through Kyuubi's demeanour, the tears uncontrollably falling down his cheeks. The unbearable heartbreak in his voice forcing it's way out of the Kyuubi/Naruto mix. The shadow on Hinata's face becoming transparent as Naruto loses focus. I see an opening in his slightly weakened state, a wing forms out of my back and I push him into a wall, trapping him there. It takes nearly all of my chakra fighting Kyuubi's in order to hold him there. His growls grow louder as he tries to push out of my skinned wing.

"Sasuke," I hear Kiba say with a stern voice, "I hope you know what you're doing,"

He walks over to Hinata, her face now free as Naruto can no longer use his hands. His irrational thoughts more focused on getting free and lashing around frantically. She coughs desperately as she regains her breath. Kiba ties her hand and feet together with the same rope she used on me.

"What did you mean when you said it's not real?" I ask her, my sharingan glaring and intimidating her. I even surprised myself at how patient my voice sounded even though that is far from what I'm feeling.

"I-I learned a n-new technique," She explained as she still gulped for air, the pain from her broken limbs going numb, "I-It causes visions. Y-Your worst fears come to l-life,"

"Shizuko..." Naruto says, the rage still evident as he thrashes around uncontrollably.

"You faked her death," I state, the anger growing but I still remain calm. I turn to Kiba and he looks at me with wide eyes as he notices half of my face transformed into Susanoo "Kiba, call the ANBU and get Shizuko out of here."

He nods then runs to the phone in the other room and I turn my attention to Naruto, "Your rage has blinded you. You are not this weak, Naruto,"

Naruto stops his thrashing and roars at me because of my insult.

"Weak? Weak?!" He shouts as he starts laughing but with no humour in his voice,

"You helped me find my way back home," I say as I walk towards him, I place my hand on his cheeks where the scars are longer and more prominent, "Now let me help you,"

I lightly place a small kiss on his face and I feel a change in his chakra again. I lean towards one of his ears while my hand caresses his cheek.

"Our baby is fine," I whisper, "Kiba has taken her to taken safety. None of it was real, please come back to me,"

I hold Naruto's head close to me, refusing to let him go as he continues growl at the sight of Hinata.

"Lies!" He shouts, his voice ringing through my ears as he almost deafens me.

I notice one tail fade which means Naruto is fighting inside to regain control.

"Your little girl is waiting for her papa," I continue to whisper, this time I move my hand to his hair and begin to stroke a particular part that I know relaxes him, "Come back to her,"

I watch as he shuts his eyes, images of the past few months running through his mind. Shizuko's constant babbling, her feet flailing in excitement, her sweet little toothless smiles.

Down to his last tail, I remove my wing and let Naruto be free knowing he's regained control.

"But I saw you..." Naruto whispers, his voice trembling as recalls the image,

"N-No," Hinata breathes, stuck on the floor as she watches us, slightly relieved her life was spared, "I began t-the jutsu as soon as I t-touched her. I l-let her go."

That explains why her face is slightly bruised.

Just as she finished her sentence, the ANBU rushed in.

"You two alright?" asked one of the guards,

"Yes, nothing a bit of healing chakra won't fix," I explain. They pick up Hinata, reassuring us that she'll no longer be a threat to us. I know I'll be constantly looking over my shoulder for a very long time.

- B.R.E.A.K -

After a lot of questioning and tons of bandages later, me and Naruto are left alone in our living room. I look around at the mess and sigh, "This is gonna be expensive,"

Naruto doesn't laugh. In fact, he's so silent, he's almost like a statue. We were quiet for what felt like hours, no movements and no sounds.

Finally, I hear him croak through exhaustion, "How are you so calm?"

I scoff and shake my head, "You think I'm calm? You have no idea how much I'm supressing right now,"

I feel a single tear roll down my cheek as that one question weakened my control. I release the build up of emotions and begin to cry loudly and uncontrollably. A lot has happened these past 2 years and I can feel all the stress, the tension and the fear leave my body as every tear falls to the floor.

"Sasuke," Naruto whispers as he cuddles me closer and clings to me, his shoulders trembling as he begins to cry too. We both sat there holding each other for a long time, I could feel my legs going numb.

At that moment, Akamaru wondered in followed by Kiba with Shizuko cradled around his chest in a sling. Naruto let out a breath of joy and rushed over to her. He brushed his fingers over her bruised chin and she let out and excited squeal at the sight of him, her wounds clearly not bothering her.

"First lot of battle scars, little one," He mumbles as her brushes his nose against hers, "There will probably be many more to come but don't worry, daddy and papa will always be here to protect,"

I smile at the heartwarming moment and wrap my arms around them both. I never thought I'd get this lucky.

"Don't forget your favourite Uncle Kiba too!" Shouts Kiba with Akamaru barking in agreement. Shizuko lets out a small giggle and I notice a small white line on her bottom gums.

"Her first tooth!" Shouts Naruto before I could say anything. He lifts her in the air in celebration.

- B.R.E.A.K -

"Daddy!" Says a now 3 year old Shizuko as she runs across the dancefloor, "Dance?"

I look to Naruto with a smile, "Your turn Mr. Uzumaki,"

He looks at me with a laugh "Unfortunatley Mr. Uzumaki, I believe the lady asked for daddy to dance, not papa. Isn't that right, Shizu-chan?"

Shizuko gives an enthusiastic nod as she pulls my hand. I make my way over to the dancefloor and she stands on my feet for balance. We slowly pace around to the slow music and I look over the Naruto who's currently watching us intently with a face full of love, he may as well have hearts for eyes. I shake my head with a smile and look at my left hand currently occupied with a new ring. I look to my daughter in her beautiful white flower-girl dress which is now stained with cake. Crumbs and icing on the corners of her mouth that she's currently trying to lick off. I lift her up and give her a tight hug.

"Papa loves you very much," I say as I kiss her smiling cheeks,

"Love you too, Papa," She replies, nuzzling her face into my neck, "and Daddy,"

I put her back down and she pats my belly and says "and baby too,"

I look in shock. Did Naruto put her up to this? These two are a team when it comes to pranks.

"There isn't a baby in there, sweetie," I explain, trying not to upset her,

"Yes there is," She says with a smile as she pats my belly again, "Kurama said so,"

I look over to Naruto who currently has a sheepish grin on his face. The idiot has just been told by Kyuubi. I sigh and rub my temples. We need to start investing in protection. I pass Shizuko to Kiba who immediately starts twirling her around. I know she's definitely going to be sick on him but why should I tell him that? I shrug and stomp over to Naruto who hugs my belly.

"Usuratonkatchi!" I shout as I bop his head,

"Yeah, yeah," he says deliriously happy, obviously not listening to me, "It's my fault,"

END