Standard disclaimer applied

Sorry, no KakaSaku interaction this chapter, but it got rather long and I decided to cut it.

Hope, you still like it. Please leave me a review!

Breakfast Scheming

Sakura was rummaging around the kitchen trying to get all the things ready for the brunch. She switched constantly between the fridge, the cupboards and the stove. The latter was needed for the unavoidable ramen that was necessary every time Naruto was invited.

Turning on the radio she hummed along the song that was currently played while resuming the task to clear up behind her kids. Sometimes she doubted her own conviction that children should be spoiled rotten. Seriously, do they have to leave their toys everywhere around the house? Maybe it was high time to show them their limits and force them to tidy up themselves. Sighing Sakura picked up the toys that were scattered on the floor and put them back into the box they were usually kept in.

The kitchen itself was spacious enough not only to fit as a playground for the twins but also to contain a large pull-out table for up to twelve people. And they would need the space since they were approximately nine or ten people for brunch. So Sakura pulled the table to its maximum size and got some additional chairs from the storeroom.

Returning to the stove just in time to prevent the water from boiling over, she was so engrossed in her preparations that she nearly overheard the knock on the front door. Quickly reducing the heat she rushed to let her friends in. Opening the door Sakura was greeted by a similar pair of silver eyes.

"Hello, Sakura, I hope we aren't late." Hinata flashed her friend a smile before hugging her.

"Hey, Hinata. Neji. Don't worry. Actually, you are the first. Where is Naruto?" Sakura was surprised that the blonde Shinobi hadn't shown up with the Hyuga.

"He ran off to find Shikamaru and drag him here. That could take some time since the lazy guy is most likely watching clouds again and unwilling to move from the spot." With that Neji shoved the two girls into the house and shut the door behind him. Together they went into the kitchen where Hinata immediately started to aid Sakura with her preparations. Neji leaned against a counter with his arms folded and watched them work.

That is until he stood in their way and was ordered to set the table. He might have changed over the years, but he still wasn't fond of some things and that included doing housework of any kind. But against the two girls he saw no use in arguing and accepted his fate. Sakura always had her way to boss people around and she had had great influence on Hinata who had overcome her shyness years ago.

When Neji was occupied with the dishes, Hinata glanced around the room.

"And where's Kakashi? Still in bed?"

"Probably." Sakura couldn't suppress a giggle. At Hinata's curious glance, Sakura told her about their morning event with the children. Needless to say Hinata was quite shocked.

"What? He still keeps these books? And the boys found them?"

"Yep, and I'm pretty sure that Kiei 1 gives him a really hard time to explain everything, right now. You know how inquisitive he can be. I'm just relieved that I had the excuse to prepare the food and could leave it all to Kakashi." Sakura smirked wryly. Hinata giggled as the picture of a desperate Kakashi popped up in her mind.

"Maybe he'll get rid of the books now."

"I doubt that. More likely he'll try to store them elsewhere until the boys are older. You should warn Naruto. He'll ask either him or Sasuke."

"Err, by the way, is Sasuke coming?" Hinata asked timidly.

"No." Sakura's curt reply prevented the Hyuga to ask any further questions.

They fell silent for a while being quietly watched by Neji who had finished his task and sat down at the table. Finally, Sakura decided to lighten up the mood and started to tease Hinata.

"So, has Naruto popped the question?" As predicted Hinata blushed beet red.

"N..No, not yet."

"Baka! Maybe I should give him a little push." Sakura raised her eyebrows. "Or maybe not. But it really takes him too long. If he doesn't ask you soon you'll have to do it. Blackmail him that always works with Kakashi. You could have him sleep on the couch again or even better take away his ramen."

"No, I don't want to force him."

"Well, then just ask him yourself. Don't wait for him to ask just because it's tradition. After all, we have already broken more serious traditions." Sakura glanced at Neji.

"Maybe." Obviously, Hinata was still hesitant about the idea, but she was thinking about it.

Meanwhile, the girls had finished their food preparations and put it onto the table.

"You know, Hinata, you could always get pregnant." Sakura's joke made Neji choke at the water he was drinking.

"Don't give her ideas!"

Sakura grinned openly at Neji's shocked expression and Hinata's embarrassment.

"What? Don't you want to have kids, Neji? Imagine, a whole pack of blonde-haired, silver-eyed kids running around the Hyuga estate. Always wanting to play with their cool uncle Neji." Sakura teased him mercilessly. This was pure gold, it's been too long since she had a chance to unsettle the composed Hyuga so much.

"You know, children seem do be drawn to you. My kids are the best example. You won't get one quiet moment." Seeing Neji visibly pale Sakura snickered. Oh, sweet torture.

"How many children does Naruto want, Hinata? Five, six?" Hinata blushed.

"F..Five."

Neji groaned and rubbed his temples.

"Great, just great. You're evil, Sakura. At times like these, I'm relieved that I never asked you to marry me."

Sakura's grin was replaced with a surprised expression.

"You wanted to marry me? Why didn't you ever ask?"

Neji looked at her solemnly.

"I wasn't sure back then. I thought we were too young. Not all differences with the main house had been settled. It was for the better, don't you think?"

Sakura smiled at him and reached over the table to squeeze his hand.

"Yeah."

"And to imagine that I could have so many kids by now..." Neji trailed off, shuddering dramatically. The three of them burst out laughing.

Sakura was the first to pull herself together again.

"Speaking of kids... Actually, I have to tell you something." Sakura tried to look serious but failed miserably as she grinned madly.

"I'm pregnant!"

"Wow, that's great!" Hinata jumped up and gave Sakura a bear hug. "I'm so happy for you!"

Neji's reaction was less cheerful but he took both of Sakura's hands in his smirking at her.

"Congrats. Does that mean we'll have to endure your mood swings again for the next months?" A little payback.

Sakura slapped him on his arm.

"Hey, I'm not that unbearable!"

Neji and Hinata just looked at each other and said nothing.

"How far along are you?"

"Somewhere around the seventh week."

"And what about our mission next month? Have you informed Tsunade-sama?" inquired Neji.

"Actually, she was the one that told me about my pregnancy. Since it's a rather simple diplomatic mission, she told me that it will go on as planned. Although Genma will join our team just in case something unpredicted happens." Neji merely grunted in acknowledgement.

"What about Kakashi? Doesn't he want to accompany you?"

"He's already scheduled for another mission. Plus, he doesn't know it yet."

"Why not?" Hinata stared at Sakura.

"First of all, I don't know about my pregnancy that long myself. And I want you all to be with me when I'm telling him. Remember how he reacted last time?" Sakura grinned mischievously. Neji shook his head in barely concealed amusement.

"I recall him to be out of it for days. He ran around with a huge grin plastered over his face and was hardly able to concentrate on his duties. Instead he pestered everybody around him with stories about your pregnancy. In fact, I believe that was the only reason why he let his students pass at that time..."

Before they could wallow more in memories they were interrupted by a knock on the door.

Since Sakura and Hinata were still hugging each other, Neji went to answer the door.

"Hi Genma, you're just in time for Sakura's scheming."

Said Jounin appeared to be quite taken aback by the greeting.

"Huh? What's going on?"

tbc

(1) Kiei - spirited

If you have noticed, I never clearly defined what gender the twins should be. Actually, I was quite undecided for a while whether they should be a boy and a girl or two boys. I settled for two boys in the end. Their names are Kiei and Aoshi (meaning green/blue/pale).

Kakashi and the twins will reappear in the next chapter!

If you want to know more about Neji's and Sakura's past watch out for my companion piece to "Midnight Musing": Sick and Tired (Song-Fic)

Review response:

Malitia: I hope you're still with me! Thank you for your review. Hopefully you like this chapter, too!

B4By K4K4Sh1: Yeah, makes us all want some Kakashi for our own, ne? sigh After all, I get to play around with him a little bit. I'll see how much I'll torture him next chapter g Thanks for your review, I hope you liked this.

MysticMoon: I liked the idea about them having two children at once g Thanks for your review!

Momo and sUmbOdi: Thank you!

When will Naruto and Shikamaru show up? How will Kakashi react? And will Naruto pop the question? For answers:

See you next chapter: Midday Surprising