Chapter 26: Relaxing

"Love is a luxury."

"No. Love is an element."

An element. Like air to breathe, earth to stand on."

― Laini Taylor, Daughter of Smoke & Bone


2 years later.

Hinata & Hanabi

"So, this is it? You're really moving!"

Hanabi's laugh covers up a cry, echoes around her now relatively empty room. All her favorite books, clothes, and photos have been neatly packed and organized into the boxes at their feet.

Today she'll be officially moving in with Naruto.

His clones have been making the actual 'moving' part easy, though she's still struggling with the idea of her sister no longer being down the hall to tease around with, sneak away snacks with, or talk to when she needs advice.

It's supposed to rain later Hinata absently recalls studying the pattern of milky yellow-orange rays of sunlight running against the wood flooring. Hopefully they can get this all into the house before a late summer downpour starts.

Hanabi meanwhile moves towards the window, sniffs the early morning air taking in the purple geraniums to pink oriental lilies wafting in from the garden planted to celebrate the occasion of Hinata's recent engagement and official first step into adulthood purchasing a home with said fiancé. Attendants have gone into overdrive to ensure a smooth departure for Hinata over these last few weeks, writing down old recipes from their Mother to giving her instructions on how to make homemade cleaning materials, sewing, and even newborn care for when she and Naruto feel ready to be parents.

'They don't realize how much she'll need the latter.' Hanabi muses, holding in a snicker.

Hiashi and Neji down below greet the original Naruto at the gate, Yamato-sensei packing everything into a wooden crate.

The trio laugh at something Yamato says in regards to a box labeled 'event dresses'. Maybe something about Naruto needing to buy more suits or professional attire for the meetings he's surely going to have to sit down for in these coming months.

"I wanted you to stay at least until summer's end." Hanabi huffs, pouting out her cheeks when she glances to Hinata again.

Now she has no excuses not to attend her own heiress meetings on time or sneak into the backwoods to train with her and Neji until moonrise, sift through the grasslands and bogs until the mud is nearly up to her knees. After a while, leaves and twigs would be intertwined into her auburn locks so much so to Natsu or Hikari's distress they would shuffle her to the nearest bathroom before Father or one of the Elders saw her.

Hinata giggles, wipes at tears sliding down Hanabi's reddened cheeks.

"You're always welcome to stop by, you know that." Hinata promises, pulling her into a hug and Hanabi breathes in the scent of marigolds and lavender, the underlying scents of cinnamon and sugar...

Of home.

A Naruto clone skirts around the sisters, picks up the box labeled toiletries and skin care with a grunt.

"What's in here, you know?! It's heavier than even the meditation and medical textbooks box!" He frowns.

"Oh, you'll definitely need to be gentle with that one Naruto! How else is Hinata going to smell nice for all the traveling you two will do before and after the wedding?!" Hanabi teases making Hinata pause, clamping her mouth with a blush.

"It includes international gifts from the other nations, be careful with them." Hinata advises.

"Ah, I will! And good point Hanabi! I personally like the violet and vanilla scents the most!" He offers, Hinata shooing the clone away.

"Stop it! What if Father or the Elders heard you?!" Hinata hisses once they're alone again.

Hanabi shrugs, arching a brow at her sister's antics.

How she's almost 20 and still flustered by such things will never stop amusing her.

Especially knowing how far she's already gone with Naruto.

She takes a step closer to her, eyes drifting between her face and stomach.

"Are you worried Father is growing suspicious? I haven't told a soul and he has no reason to suspect anything out of the ordinary; same goes with Neji." Hanabi mentions gently, dropping her voice an octave should any guard or attendant be walking by.

Hinata curls their hands together, nails digging forming a litter of tiny crescents in her palms.

"That's...That's because I'm not showing yet and the morning sickness hasn't been so bad." She murmurs back.

Hanabi breaks their hands in order to reach one out towards her, Hinata giving her permission with a slow nod letting her fingers brush against her still flat stomach.

It's the one thing Father wanted them to wait on, that they went out of order on doing from what their future selves had told them so long ago...

But back during the late days of May to early days of June Naruto had won 2 tickets to a beach resort in the Land of Waves, Hinata herself curious to see a mix of the citizens Naruto met during his original mission there with Team 7 and explore the mangroves at both low and high tides.

"Are we supposed to be in this area?" Hinata questions uncertaintly.

They've passed at least 3 signs now saying this a restricted/protected zone. The fauna, animals, and shrubs that grow/live here are meant to be protected as much as possible from human interaction.

Humans like them.

Naruto laughs at her skittishness, gently grabbing her hand leading them along the wetlands, dark brown sand wetting their toes as they walk along.

"You're the one who wanted to see the kelp forests and underwater caves! Besides, I'm a bit important here incase you forgot about the Great Naruto Bridge we passed under earlier! Nobody is going to give us any trouble!" He brags.

Hinata giggles, twisting herself so it's her leading him.

"Don't pretend you weren't curious about those coral reefs too! Ah, the cave I saw earlier should be a few meters up ahead. I don't think anybody visits it, especially not at this time of day."

She hopes.

Because she can feel Naruto's amused stare changing, shifting into want and a heat of anticipation pools in her belly when she peeks over her shoulder back at him.

The water below them switches from a murky green to a clear blue, Hinata shivering as the water rises up towards their knees. Naruto switches back with her to lead as the waves turn stronger, seafoam and grass swirling around them.

He lifts her up as they reach an edge of dry rock, Naruto pressing right up against her.

"You're right, nobody is around here but us." He hums in her ear, dropping a kiss by her collarbone.

Hinata's breath hitches, curling a leg around him.

Naruto leans back from her drinking her in, brushing away thin strips of seaweed and sand in her hair.

"When does Tazuna expect us back for dinner?" She whispers against his lips.

Naruto shrugs. He's sure he said sometime around 8 or 9 pm maybe, but his mind and eyes at the time had just been focused on Hinata's sky blue sundress blowing in the breeze, lips curved in a smile as Inari regaled her with a latest construction project they finished.

And now that same sundress clings to her like a second skin, a too thin blanket, nipples hard and visible in the approaching chill of the night.

Naruto kneads at her left breast, rolls her nipples in his hands greedily until Hinata lets out a low moan, shifts into his touch.

"I'm getting rid of this." He grunts while sliding the strap of her sundress down, exposing her chest fully to him. He wraps his thumbs around the ends of her panties next, following her tossed dress to somewhere behind him.

"I love you." Naruto breathes out, tangling their fingers together.

Kisses pepper her skin leaving a trail of fire in their wake, Hinata threading her fingers to the waistband of his shorts. He came better prepared for this than her she realizes, admiring the plains of his chest as he slides off his vest, sensing from the get go why she wanted to come here.

His erection twitches against her fingers while she thumbs at the precum of his head until he hisses and it's then Naruto adjusts their positions lying her back against stone. Water hits the ends of her hair, a quiet thrum the utter opposite of her pounding heart.

"Comfortable?" Naruto asks.

Hinata smirks. "As comfortable as stone and water near my nether regions can be!"

Naruto snorts gently, cerulean eyes darkening with lust.

"You won't be thinking about any of that in a moment." He promises.

And she isn't, his first thrust stretching at her folds, awakening old memories of secret rendezvous they haven't done in so long. She moves her head up slightly to kiss him, tastes salt on his lips.

"Narutooo." She drags out his name in a soft pant, legs curling tighter around him as his thrusts pick up, glaze of sweat building between them.

"Ah, I'm going to...I'm going to." Naruto grunts out trying to restrain himself and Hinata smiles gently, fingers brushing at his whisker marks.

"It's okay, you can."

Naruto swallows, member twitching once as she squeezes at him a final time, warmth spilling out lapping at her thighs.

Spots fills her vision arching into him and when Hinata opens her eyes again Naruto holds a devious grin, admiring his handiwork.

Above the sky has taken on an amber gold, ribbon of stars stretching across the horizon as a half moon comes into view.

'"So...same time tomorrow?" Naruto asks while Hinata catches her breath, fanning her flushed cheeks with a nod and laugh.

Just before he can sit them up she reaches for him again, bites her lip.

"One more before we leave?"

Naruto's grin turns wicked, pulling her up against the rocks.

He's her best and worst influence.

Because they return again to the sea cave the following afternoon, make love between the roots of the mangroves and deep into the winding rivers of the nearby marshes and swamps.

She completely forgets about the ways they've used protection in the past, responsibilities cast aside as soon as they hit the cool waves.

And then...And then.

A realization of her missed period during the fireworks festival in July back home in Konoha. Naruto took them straight to the convenience store after, swore the half-awake cashier to secrecy with one glare as he scanned the items they were buying.

Shortly after midnight, a positive plus sign on the first pregnancy test she took.

It's a recklessness she doesn't regret after years of forcing herself not to break out of her comfort zones, to follow proper Hyuga etiquette and ladylike behaviors she'd been restricted too for so long.

Worry abruptly needles at her like a wave, there's only so many times she can put off drinks with Sakura and Ino, can pretend she has clan business...

The gossip and rumors are coming whether she wants it to or not.

A bite of nausea ripples through her, pushing the memories and thoughts away.

'It's fine. Naruto is by my side.' She knows.

"Well, let's not keep lover-boy waiting!" Hanabi jests, tugging on Hinata's hand for them to get moving.

Hinata and Hanabi walk together up to the entrance, Hiashi steadying himself on his cane, still not used to his wooden prosthetic. One of them is going to have force him to make another appointment with Lady Tsunade or Sakura to make sure it's properly fitted.

But for now he smiles in greeting to his daughters, Hinata smiling back despite the lurching of her stomach.

"Ready to go?" Naruto asks.

Hinata grins, stepping forward in more ways than one into this new life with him, squeezing Hanabi's hand one last time before accepting his.

"Ready."


Naruto

"Hinata said yes, you know!"

He replaces the wilted lilies upon Iruka's grave, setting up the new bouquet of pink and white lilies to carnations in the center.

Naruto adjusts himself back into a crossed legged position, wondering what else to update him on. His life has taken on so many new responsibilities as of late from planning the wedding, moving from his old apartment, and wondering how he'll dapple with his impending Fatherhood...

So early mornings have become his favorite time to come here and also think. He can take in the fresh dew upon the grass, sunshine brightening the white stone and marble of his old sensei's grave.

Hinata must've came by earlier in the week to polish it, to visit with him and her fallen clansmen from that fateful day.

It helps too that little to no people are at the cemetery during these hours to hear his rambling.

There's hundreds of things he couldn't say when Iruka's funeral first occurred, too caught up in the swirl of what-if's. He's apologized over and over for the knowledge he gained early leading up to this alternate path, to his death. Upset he can no longer grow old with the rest of his coworkers most of whom still teary-eyed and wondering who could replace him as an instructor full time out of the list of part time ones they continue to rotate through.

And then there's the anger that there's been whispers of threats similar to the Akatsuki popping up in the smaller villages, a man hunting for something or someone...

'Toneri.' He grits his teeth.

But he hasn't made his presence known in the village, none of the Otsutsuki have.

With things so altered neither he or Hinata know if he'll still come with plans to kidnap Hanabi, attempt to take Hinata by force.

The wind picks up behind him from the east and he realizes his thoughts are turning too sour.

"Oh yeah! Hinata and I just moved into a new up and coming neighborhood! It's a short walk from the Hokage Tower which is great because I'm constantly having to sit in on meetings with Granny and Kakashi-sensei! I also do some volunteering at the Academy, it's kind of weird because people who don't even work there sometimes ask for my autograph or a photo!" He adds in, trying to re-brighten the mood.

He rocks back and forth, grinning at a second thought.

'I'm also going to be a Dad! Can you believe it, you know?! It's been next to impossible to keep Pervy-Sage from finding out!'

Though knowing his Godparent, he could already know and is just waiting for the right moment to bring it up.

The instant he finds out though he'll want to know the details, perhaps even want suggestions for his next series of Make Out Paradise novels taking place in other lands.

"Visiting Iruka-sensei again?" A familiar voice asks behind him taking him out of his thoughts and he turns.

Sakura.

A bouquet of yellow tulips and daises encompasses her arms, nodding in the direction of Shizune's grave.

"Yup! Here with company or..." Naruto trails off.

He looks behind her to see if Sasuke has come along with her again. His presence along with his brother's back in the village has been met with wariness at best for all their help in reconstruction and new implementations in improving the Konoha's police force to outright hostility at it's worst from both older and civilian/shinobi who remember the Uchiha massacre, recall that Sasuke willingly left the village to go to Orochimaru for power...

Sakura grins. "Sasuke's out in the forests with Itachi, something about scavenging or training. I was hoping Itachi would take it easy knowing all his body's went through, but he loves to indulge Sasuke when he gets the right opportunity."

Her gaze turns back to graves, smile cracking.

"I...I can't believe it's been two years. I need to tell Shizune Lady Tsunade wants to step down in the next few years to go traveling again. She's been going over the list of candidates and Kakashi-sensei is at the top to be 6th Hokage. Eventually, I'll take over as Head of the Hospital, but she wants me to get a few more years of leadership training under my belt." She relates.

They both snicker at the thought of their sensei the same man who reads porn in public and is chronically late, the next leader of their village.

Naruto's brows furrow at a sudden thought.

"You mean Granny just wants to spend her days drinking and gambling, right?"

Sakura's smile returns. "That too! Maybe she'll bring that pervert sensei of yours along; they both could use a break and change of scenery."

Naruto beams in agreement only for Sakura to send him a look of concern.

"Hey, is everything okay with Hinata?" She asks.

Naruto blinks, panic instantly burning at him. They've only moved in together barely a full week and concerns are already rising up?

At his expression Sakura rolls her eyes maybe at herself or him, shaking her head.

"Sorry, I should've clarified! I only meant that during our usual weekend meet up with the other girls, she didn't eat much. Dessert is normally her favorite and she seemed pale at the idea of even touching anything sweet." She recalls.

"Hinata saying no to a cinnamon chocolate swirl?! Are you feeling ill? Fever? Poisoning? You only picked at your beef lo mien and rice when normally you finish before all of us!" Ino mentions with a dramatic flair, leaning forward peppering her with questions.

Tenten sighs, sipping at her iced tea. "Don't jump to the worse conclusions Ino."

Hinata merely smiles, resting her chopsticks to her side.

"I'm fine! Naruto and I had a late breakfast is all so I'm still feeling a bit full! He's been trying to show off how much of a good chef he is by having me try all of his meals!" She giggles.

Ino arches a brow, amused smirk playing with her lips.

"We're talking about the same guy you enjoys ramen for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, right?"

Sakura stifles a laugh into her drink, nudging Ino.

"Oh, come on Pig! I'm sure none of the Hyuga clan were going to have Naruto only knowing how to prepare ramen before Hinata moved in with him!"

It sounded plausible at the time, but now Sakura wonders if she should've gone more into doctor mode, asked more about her changes in diet...

A good head to toe physical and routine bloodwork would give her answers if Hinata agrees to it.

Naruto merely nods slowly, Hinata hasn't touched any of her usual favorite foods in weeks.

"I'm cooking more at home." He offers by way of suggestion on why her food preferences have changed and Sakura smirks, maybe that truly is the reason why Hinata has been eating less around them as of late.

She steps back from him, tucking her flowers closer.

"If you say so!~" She hums.

That doesn't sound at all like Sakura believes him and Naruto swallows, knowing he and Hinata will need to probably announce her pregnancy sooner rather than later.


Jiraiya & Hinata

"You really are just Naruto as an adult...albeit hopefully he's more responsible than you when we reach your age!" Hinata grins.

Jiraiya beams, swirls with the remnants of ice in his glass.

"Ouch, I think? You can still be a hard one to read sometimes Miss Hyuga soon to be Uzumaki!" He teases right back.

Why Jiraiya felt the continued need to use these clubs to escape reality eluded her. Club Impulse is no different from any of the others in the red light district in her opinion except for it's theme of giving into the sin of lust. Otherwise it's the same old bright neon lights of reds and golds to exotic dancers decked out in lavish pink and blue feathery costumes made to show off both legs and bust.

And to make matters worst, their dinner selection sucks.

But they're celebrating Jiraiya's recent announcement of his first Make Out Paradise series getting a movie after all these years, eager to see the duo again and celebrate their own recent house purchase. Naruto has temporarily left to fetch them appetizers and for her, plenty of water to survive this night.

"We could've gone somewhere less...noisy." She continues, trying to find the right word that won't hurt his feelings.

Jiraiya nods his agreement. They could've, but then where would the fun be if he didn't get to see his favorite showgirls?!

Hinata regards him with a soft sigh at his silence, waiting to hear what else he has to say on why he chose this place. Jiraiya breezily taking the insult/compliment from her that he wastes his ryo in places like this with another hearty laugh.

"Nah, I like it here! Got to support the newest up and coming clubs after all! Anyways, Kid's going to have to be responsible if he's really going to be Hokage...and a Dad of all things." He hums, waving down a waitress for another lotus martini and a bottle of champagne.

Hinata bristles. Despite the pulsing of the music behind them, she's heard him loud and clear.

'From when did he?' Her stomach lurches, swallowing down the roll of nausea.

She looks at him surprised, there's nothing about her yet that should've given away her pregnancy. Absently she looks over her long purple summer dress, searching the seams and ruffles for any signs of a bump.

Jiraiya sets down his glass, regards her with a bemused look.

"Naruto didn't tell me if that's what you're wondering. As a spy I'm always watching people, it's a habit of mine and of course with all the time I spend around Naruto, I'm going to notice when he's acting a bit off." He explains.

"How would you have connected the dots from just that?" Hinata questions.

Jiraiya holds up 3 fingers then. "Well for starters, I caught him mumbling about needing to head to Misato's which is a known store new parents like to frequent for baby supplies. Two, you've refused every alcoholic beverage tonight no matter how mild or low in alcoholic content it contained. And finally three, when that server bumped into you earlier the first thing you guarded was your stomach."

It's all somewhat coincidental, but she can feel her cheeks burning giving herself away.

Jiraiya claps his hands eagerly. "Oi so tell me, how did my godson sneak you away from your clan?!"

"Sneak Hinata away from what?" Naruto asks before Hinata can respond.

He passes her a plate of gyoza and prawns, situates a platter of onigiri on Jiraiya's side.

"They're going to bring some green tea and oolong tea as well." Naruto adds, patting at her hand and Hinata manages a nod, still reeling from Jiraiya's casual knowledge of their secret.

Jiraiya moves for a fried prawn, biting in with a satisfied crunch.

"Good timing! Was just asking when you found the time to whisk Hinata away to knock her up! Her family had been around her near 24-7 until the big move!" He explains.

Naruto jolts as if having been splashed with ice water. Pervy-Sage has always been a bit blasé when it comes to the topic of sex, never one to mince words.

But this isn't how he expected this conversation to go.

And not in a place like this!

"Ugh, can't you say it in a less gross way, you know?!" Naruto gripes.

Jiraiya merely shrugs, neither have answered his question yet!

Naruto clears his throat, cheeks turning a shade of pink while Hinata studies the wood patterns of their table.

Jiraiya leans back in his seat, waiting to speak again as their main courses arrive. Bowls of miso soup and egg drop soup along with plates of karaage, fish and rice.

"Alright well at least tell me this, how did Hiashi take the news?" He questions, he can guess anyways that they probably had alone time when Naruto was away with her in the Land of Waves or Grass.

That man has been bombarding him with questions on if he plans to make a speech at the wedding and what color flower/suit he plans to wear. He supposes he has a point that Naruto and Hinata's wedding will be a big event, but he's never been one for planning parties.

Now being there, that he can do!

Hinata's pregnancy probably spun Hiashi into overdrive he assumes, will maybe cause him to want to push the wedding to be sooner than next spring.

Now that he thinks about it really and truly, it's been years since he's attended a formal event...

Naruto smiles weakly.

"Err, well he doesn't know yet, you know! But we plan to tell him soon!"

Jiraiya gapes, looking to Hinata who nods in blushing confirmation.

He smacks his forehead, sighing. Well, that's going to be either a scary or joyous moment for Naruto.

Perhaps both all at once.

Jiraiya gazes back at Hinata who giggles beneath her palm knowing where his mind has gone. Naruto's influenced changes in her personality more than she's cared to admit.

"We'll be fine, Father likes Naruto!" Hinata relates in assurance.

Jiraiya shakes his head, he won't like him as much after he hears this.

'These two.'


Sasuke & Sakura

"Welcome back." Sakura greets Sasuke outside the steps of the Uchiha compound's backyard.

She turns her attention back to pulling at a row of weeds, dandelions and crabgrass tossed into a trash bag beside her.

This has to be done before sunset or it will never get accomplished.

And today luckily has been a bit cooler, sky a perfect blue, cloudless for miles.

Itachi passes her a shovel, Sakura nodding at the count of 3 before tearing through soil and grass.

"Cha! Ugh, the ground here is so dry! But it will come back, I'll make sure of it even if we don't get much rain this Fall!" She promises.

"Do I need to ask what's going on?" Sasuke questions at Sakura digging into their yard.

She decided last week she would come here on her days off to check in, Itachi greeting her with tea and Sasuke with questions on why she bothers with them still.

'I've heard what your patients say about being near us, you don't have to keep pushing yourself.' Sasuke considers. He's sure it gets tiring for her to hear that both he and Itachi are bad influences, that a 'promising young girl' like her shouldn't bother with men like him who have such grisly pasts.

But the other half of himself is...happy. Sakura wouldn't keep coming here if she didn't want to, if she actually cared about the rumors.

Itachi looks at him as if the answer is obvious.

"She's clearing paths to make a herbal, fruit, and vegetable garden...at least that's what she told me when she came by an hour ago."

Sasuke looks at dirt and stone tossed about.

"Why?" He pursues.

Itachi smiles saying nothing considering he already knows why (always so difficult his little brother) helping to move the tossed weeds into the section that can become compost.

His breath quickens for a moment at a twinge of pain to his chest after moving two piles, both Sasuke and Sakura instantly gazing to him before he shakes his head.

"I'm fine." He mutters, but the pair are by his side in a flash before he can even sit back down.

'These two want to take care of me more than sit still around each other for 5 minutes.' Itachi considers.

"You're using your inhalers, right?! And the anti-inflammatories?" Sakura questions with a furrowed brow while Sasuke passes him a glass of water.

Itachi nods dutifully. "Yes, at morning and bedtime just as you instructed me."

Sakura's eyes narrow before slowly turning back to her task.

Itachi moves to sit along the steps, nudging Sasuke.

"Go join her; I'll watch." He orders.

They both look over to see Sakura casually tears a stone and root in half, grinning to herself.

"She doesn't need my help." Sasuke retorts blandly, Itachi nudging him again with a bit more force.

"No, but I'm sure she would appreciate it. Honestly Sasuke, dating isn't this complicated."

Sasuke grits his teeth. "We're not-"

"Just go." Itachi cuts him off, tone leaving no room for further argument.

Sakura is humming some random pop tune when Sasuke reluctantly plops himself down beside her, Sakura blinking.

"I'm here to help." He explains, grabbing a spare plant shovel and plant marker at the end of her row.

His hands bury into dark, muddy earth coming away with worms and thistle entangled in his fingers.

Sakura smirks, holds in a laugh.

"Yeah? You look like you'd rather have a blood transfusion than help."

Sasuke scoffs, forcing himself to look at her properly, to see the alluring green of her warm eyes and feel all the twists and turns running through his stomach.

"I am. And...I'm happy you're here." He admits, chest feeling lighter at the confession.

Sakura nods, bumping their shoulders affectionately.

"I am too!"

They work in silence side by side until Sakura notes his haphazard pattern of digging.

"By the way, you're moving in a zigzag and too fast, let me help you before you destroy the entire backyard."


Kakashi

"You're welcome in either village. Here or Suna, whichever you prefer." Kakashi explains to Fu.

Fu hums in response, looking over each pamphlet discussing the highlights of both villages.

"There's plenty of youth filled activities in both nations as well! Why, Kakashi and I like to race to the Hokage mountain each morning when we can or I do so with Lee! I'm sure they do something similar in Suna especially with all those miles of desert!" Gai adds in as if that will help incentivize her.

Kakashi's sure they don't do anything of the sort like that in Suna, but we won't dampen his mood.

"Huh, I didn't think it would be so hard to choose! Ah, I wish Shibuki was here to help me make a decision." Fu mutters, tussling a hand through her blue locks.

Part of her enjoys the forests Konoha has to offer, deep groves, trees as tall as hills, and hidden away caves she can spend afternoons exploring.

But Suna has sandstorms she can chase! Sand dunes and cool nights that can't really be found anywhere else.

"I think...I would like to try Suna out for a bit! No offense to Konoha though! It's climate is just so so different from the one I grew up in. I'd like to explore the desert scape and the creatures who call it home. Plus the Kazekage, he's a jinchuriki too, right? While Naruto is this village's jinchuriki, I feel he'll be quite busy for awhile." She reasons.

Kakashi chuckles. "Yes, he just moved in with his fiancée and is trying to plan their wedding among other things."

Fu grins. Naruto is Gaara's friend as well so she's sure she'll see both him and Hinata whenever they next make a trip back there.

Or they'll all just come back for the wedding!

She straightens herself in her chair, tears pricking at her eyes suddenly.

"Thank you two. I know I wasn't always the best guest or kind to you when you first rescued me. It's thanks to you both though I truly get a second chance at life to make more friends and see the world so I promise I won't waste it!"

Kakashi nods, filing the papers that are the start of Fu's immigration paperwork and case file.

"A representative from Suna will come in the next one to two weeks or so to assist in your travel there. In the interim, take it easy here and enjoy the little things Konoha has to offer here." He explains.

'Geez, I sound like a tour guide.' Kakashi muses.

Fu nods eagerly, hugging the pair before practically skipping out of the office.

Well, that's one meeting down. 5 more to go.

None of this is what he imagined himself doing once Obito was laid to rest...

It feels partially still like he robbed him of his dreams, that he's taken for himself everything he ever wanted.

Gai pats at his shoulder shaking him out of his thoughts.

"You're doing a good job Kakashi. The new psychiatric ward is doing wonders for both the children and adults from what Sakura and the Yamanaka clan have told me. International relations are at their highest since...I can't even recall! And the blueprints have been made to better improve transportation and commerce throughout the nations." He gestures with his hand to the view of the village out the window.

Kakashi shrugs, that's more from Sakura, Naruto, Hinata, and the rest of their classmates influence on the world than him.

He shuffles with his paperwork, it's barely noon and already he feels ready to go home.

"Who's next on the agenda I'm supposed to meet with?" He asks.

Gai wanders over to the board near the front of the room, chuckling when he sees who he has to deal with next.

"Looks like Homura and Koharu. They want to discuss the topic of increased wages for construction workers and changes to hospital policy regarding visitors from outside Konoha."

Oh, fun.

Now he knows why Tsunade kept a secret stash of sake when it came time to holding meetings with the pair and their long list of connections within the village.

Gai stretches, gleam in his dark eyes at he points a thumb in the opposite direction.

"Let's say you and I take a quick run around the market district first?! You're going to need some energy drinks or coffee so you don't fall asleep when it comes to dealing with them!" He advises.

Kakashi considers it for a moment before nodding. They need to go now before Shizune starts searching for him.

And he definitely needs a break from this room.

Gai pats his shoulder with a laugh as they move quickly down the hall.

"That's the idea Lord Sixth! Playing hooky like old times from our days at the Academy!"

Kakashi groans, shrugging his hand off. Gai gently punching his shoulder in response. The ceremony for him officially taking up the mantle isn't even until the end of the month.

"Ugh, don't call me that!"


Naruto & Hinata

"Alright, so we know how we're going to say this, you know! Straight and to the point!" Naruto assures Hinata.

And himself!

Hinata nods, adjusting her purse, checks again that they have everything they need.

A fetal ultrasound is confirmation enough, nothing else is needed to say she's pregnant.

"I-I hope he won't be mad." Hinata whispers, pursing her lips.

The Elders will be angry enough she's pregnant before marriage, even if she's engaged. Hanabi and Neji have already been stomping down rumors during past dinners she's not eating enough.

She can't recall any Hyuga women being pregnant before marriage, she's an outlier.

The one who didn't follow tradition, behaved recklessly giving into lust and passion.

Her heart thrums in her ears, calming her breathing.

Naruto wraps his hand with hers, presses their foreheads together.

"It's fine, we're in this together; don't forget." He whispers soothingly in her ears, kisses at the edge of tears rising up.

The walk to Hyuga manor is quiet save for the whistle of wind, the scattering of leaves on the pavement of crimson and gold in the coming change of seasons.

Ko greets them outside the gate, expression perturbed making Hinata's stomach further churn.

'Something's happening.' A buzz of panic starts to rise in her ears.

"Lord Hiashi is actually with a guest right now, but they should be finishing up soon." He explains as they follow behind him to his quarters.

Naruto frowns, glancing to Hinata who looks equally wary.

They stop outside his private office and section at hearing the shuffle of voices, Hinata leaning forward recognizing Hanabi's voice.

"Father, tell this man he's being ridiculous! He has no right to march into the compound with such demands! He won't even listen to reason that Hinata is already spoken for! She snaps.

Neji gets her to sit back down, fists clenched as well though betraying his own anger towards the stranger.

Hiashi hushes her, murmurs Hinata thinks for her to calm herself.

They're by Father's garden she realizes at seeing the marigolds and fuchsia in the background, trying to get a peek at their guest through the slit in the closed doors.

His chakra signature is distinct, Hinata swallowing feeling her chest tighten.

"Though my youngest's tongue is harsh, what she says is the truth. The subject is off the table." Hiashi states with a tone of finality.

The man moves to stand then and Hinata catches a flicker of pure white hair.

Naruto sees it too, grip on her shoulders tightening pulling her back behind him.

"I didn't think you two would be so difficult when it came to the matter of Hinata's hand in marriage to me, but so be it." He voices calmly.

Naruto cracks his fists, so the bastard came after all, even with all the changes they made.

Toneri is here now in the village, still wants Hinata for himself.

-x-


Most people correctly guessed that Toneri is the final villain for this story. Ha ha, yeah I know that doesn't please everyone but he was the final threat in my mind from this story's get go.

I think Crimson Hawk Wolf, BornOnTheBreakOfDawn, and another reader on Archive Of Our Own were the first to guess that so congrats to you all and any other readers who had suspicions it would be him!

I don't plan to do a complete rehash of The Last. Toneri is here yes, though not for long. His presence serves a purpose for the future without saying anything else beyond that. Let me know your thoughts as always!

Enjoy. Review. Favorite. Follow!