The last chapter had some unexpected turns! Most of the readers couldn't guess about the twins!
Anyways, thanks for the reviews and I hope you enjoy the next chapter!
Chapter XI – Just make a Whish!
"I simply don't understand! What is so bad about twins?" – Shizune asked, shifting her glare from Hinata to Neji.
"This is new to you, but Hyuga heir can only be one child." – Tsunade said.
"Still, the heir will be the oldest one, right? So what is the big deal?" – The medic nin couldn't accept that answer.
"Shizune-san, the Hyuga Royal Family decides its leader from origin and date of birth. The most nobles and the oldest ones. More close you are from the Hyuga founder bloodline, more inclined to be the Leader you are" – Neji explained.
"Neji-kun, the child that comes to the world first is the heir…" –Shizune wasn't getting the point.
"My dear Shizune, if you are a child born from the Heir and his/hers consort you belong to the Main Family. If this child is the oldest, it will succeed as leader. So the two requirements to be Head of Hyuga clan are: child of the Leader and born first. If the Leader and its consort first offspring consists in two children born in the same day, both can claim the title of 'leader', because both have the two requirements needed." – Tsunade was explaining.
"That is why the second child is removed to the Branch House and marked with the Caged Bird Seal. This is to avoid a conflict between two rightful heirs" – Neji continued Tsunade's explanation.
"If it were Hinata's second child, then it would be OK have twins…" – Shizune was looking at the motionless young mother, lying on her husbands lap, absent from all that talking. She pitied the girl.
"They could have triplets! Multiples! But never as first pregnancy!" – Tsunade said while waving her hands. – "The problem is: they have twins now! We got to think of something…maybe I should talk to Hiashi-kun…."
"He would never understand. Even if he did, the council and that idiot grandfather of mine would mark the seal in the second child. It is useless. We are doomed." – Neji was stroking Hinata's hair, trying to find an exit, a solution, but Hyuga Clan was too powerful to fight against.
"W-We m-must n-not g-give up, niisan…" – Hinata whispered from his lap, still motionless.
"Maybe you could have the babies away from here! Tsunade-sama, talk to the Kazekage, send Neji as an emissary. Hinata will have to follow him and they can have the babies in Sand Village!" – Shizune was brainstorming to find a solution.
"Hiashi-sama would never allow Hinata-sama leave the Hyuga compound or Konoha in her condition." – Neji said.
"There has to be a way! The second child must be protected…" – Tsunade was talking to herself. The two medic nins started to argue about the best way to protect the second child.
"Wait….there might have a way….." – Neji's eyes sharpened, his hand movement on Hinata's hair stopped. He was lost in his thoughts, and then: - "It is all about the second born! What if they don't know who the first is and who is the second?"
"Cool! If they can't point the heir, they can't mark the remaining baby! Excellent idea Hyuga Neji!" – The Godaime was clapping her hands, smirking.
"It won't w-work…All H-Hyuga c-childbirth is a-assisted by Hyuga midwives…." – Hinata whispered again, showing that she was still in this world.
"No problem at all! The Hyuga midwives only act when called. If you hide from them your labor symptoms, they can't do anything. Just come to the Hospital and deliver you babies here!" – Shizune said with a victory tone.
"Hard to do such thing. How can we hide this?" – Neji was thinking, considering all the odds of the plan.
"It is your first pregnancy, it normally takes a long time between the symptoms and the birth. Just come to the Hospital during this time and don't tell anybody!" – Tsunade was pretty sure about the success rate of that plan.
"It worth a try. I think we can try this." – Neji said, lifting up a little the right side of his lips – "But we can't tell anyone about the twins".
"That is right! Not even your closest friends. The twins will be our little secret!" – the situation was bad, but the Hokage seemed to be having a lot of fun.
"Hinata will stay here today. She is too nervous and now this pregnancy is considered high risked". – Shizune told.
Tsunade and her apprentice left the room.
Hinata was still in Neji's lap, like dead. He was worried about her. She was so cheerful in the morning and so gloomy now.
He wondered if someone in the Hyuga Main House should be warned about Hinata's internment, but decided to call only to his mom.
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The following days were not better. Hinata's mood didn't change at all. She spent all day on the bed or the living room couch, completely depressed, crying time to time. No more baby nursery, cribs, gliders, clothes…nothing made her feel happier.
Neji stayed by her side most of the time. He refused some missions, and trained more in the Hyuga training fields than in the Village areas. He was never a funny or cheerful person, but he was trying his best to make his wife a little optimistic about the "twin rescue plan". After some unsuccessful efforts, he simply decided to stay quiet by her side, cleaning her tears and watching her sleep.
The sad mood of the Hyuga couple didn't go unnoticed by their friends. Team 8 members were the inquisitive ones. One day, Kiba ran by Neji in Konoha's streets and called the jounin for a 'little chat':
"Don't play dumb and don't try to deceive me. What have you done to Hinata?" – grunted the Inuzuka boy.
"I did nothing to her." – Neji answered, crossing his arms in front of his chest, staring at the other guy.
"You DID! You were ignoring her and my nephew! You must have done something really bad to make her so sad! Hinata has not been herself for the past month!"
"No I didn't. She is experiencing some difficulties in the pregnancy, which is why she is quiet (nice one Neji, like he will buy this). …And what is this 'nephew' thing about?"
"Pregnancy difficulties? I've been by her side since this whole crap started. I've been with her in some appointments with Shizune-neechan. Everything is OK with the baby! DON'T LIE TO ME" – Kiba was really pissed.
"You went with her in the appointments?' – Neji was getting pissed too.
"The father was never able to go, so I went along with my friend. So did Shino and Kurenai sensei. Even Naruto and Ino helped her. What a shame, huh daddy?" – Kiba was throwing out the accusations with an arrogant tone, his hands were fisted and placed on his hips, and his mouth formed a threatening grin. Neji knew it would be useless try to explain the situation to the other man, but the knowledge that other people helped his wife while he did nothing really made him angry.
"Thanks for the help. I can handle things from now on. You and all the others have my deepest gratitude." – Neji waved and turned to leave the place.
Kiba would never let this go uncharged and dashed to the Hyuga man, with open claws. Neji sensed the murderous intention and turned back to avoid the Inuzuka's attack.
"What are you doing?" – he said while dodging another blow.
"You hurt her a lot! I'll protect my friend and her baby! I swear it!"
"I did nothing to her, I already told you!" – another blow and this time Neji decided to use his Juuken to stop Kiba.
"I'm not talking about recent things! It is also about past things!" – Kiba received the Juuken in the chest. The attack made him spit blood from his mouth. And pointing the blood puddle in the grass he said: - "THIS is what I'm talking about!".
"She already forgave me! It is not your business!"
"It is! I love Hinata! I always did! Since I can't have her heart, the least I can do is protect her from all bad things!" – Kiba had a furious look in his face.
"I always suspected that you had a crush on her…." – Neji couldn't retain the arrogant tone.
"Oh! Now you are jealous? To you she is only a property, huh? Another step in your ascension into the Main House…" – Kiba was taunting Neji. The Hyuga was getting really mad; he could be stoic and silent but he never accepted insults of any kind, from anyone.
Neji moved so fast that the other boy couldn't see him. Kiba only noticed Neji when he was a mere inch close, grasping his coat and concentrating chakra on the other hand while saying:
"I care about Hinata-sama. I shall never hurt her again. Mark my words: I'll protect her and our child no matter what. If you want to be her friend, fine. I don't give a damn for your feelings for her. But never, NEVER, interfere in our marriage!" – Neji threw the Inuzuka far away.
Kiba remained startled on the ground, puzzled:
"Why it is so important to you keep this false marriage? You never wanted it in the first place!"
After some time, without turning to see Kiba's face, Neji said:
"Because Hinata's happiness is one of the few things I still treasure in my life."
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December came and the winter was colder than ever. Snow filled the streets and rooftops of Konoha; trees had no leaves, flowers didn't blossom. A sad landscape reflected in the eyes of another sad person.
Hinata was looking trough the window of her apartment, rubbing the six months belly. Even though Shizune insisted that everything was fine with the babies, she couldn't fell well. Time was running fast, soon it would be their birth and the climax of that nightmare. Neji assured her that the plan had good chances of working, especially because the Godaime herself was helping. However, every time the council or any of the Hyuga midwives asked her about the child she could feel the tears form in her eyes and her legs tremble.
Neji was passing the front gate of Konoha with Naruto, Lee and Shino. They have just returned from a mission.
"Say, Neji, is Hinata feeling better?" – Naruto asked.
"A little…." – big lie. She wasn't. He was more and more worried about her depression. He tried to refuse that mission, but Tsunade insisted in his presence to support the other shinobis. She also told that a change could make him feel better.
"Her birthday is next Friday." – Shino spoke nonchalantly.
"Is it?" – Naruto turned to the Aburame guy – "Ow! We can make a big party to cheer her up? What do you say, Neji?"
"I don't know. She needs rest…." – he wasn't in the mood for parties too. Besides, Main House would probably make one of those boring dinners to celebrate her birthday.
"Oh, come on! A surprise party! We all need to celebrate! The rookie jounins, the successful missions, Sasuke's return, your baby, Hinata's birthday and ALL THE JOYS OF YOUTH!" – Lee was spinning like a ballerina!
"Yosh! Fuzzy-eyebrows is right! A surprise party! Come on, Neji! Take her out and we will prepare the biggest party ever!" – Naruto was also entering in the party mood.
"I don't think so….." – Neji was a little worried about a party organized by Lee and Naruto.
"It will be good for her." – Shino told, staring the Hyuga male. Neji understood that look; Shino was one of the wisest people he knew, if he said it would be OK, then it would!
"Fine. I'll take her out on Friday and return about five in the afternoon. The apartment keys will be hidden with Hanabi".
"YEEEEE! PARTY PARTY!" – Naruto and Lee were jumping in the streets of Konoha.
"Just don't destroy my place!" – Hyuga Neji was already regretting the idea.
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On Friday, Neji was trying to convince Hinata to leave for a walk.
"Look, it will be good for you. Remember we have to make these walks everyday, so when the time comes we can have an excuse to leave the compound…."
"It is too cold…I'm not in the mood, niisan…" – she was still lying in the bed even though it was high morning.
"It is your birthday. Let's have lunch at some fancy restaurant…"- he was being so nice (Too nice for Neji's standards)…
"I don't want….." – Hinata was a stubborn person. Neji was getting impatient.
"Hinata-sama, we ARE going out and you better be ready in ten minutes. I'll be waiting in the living room." – He stood up and left the bedroom. She knew he was not kidding, and thought 'better be depressed outside than hear his lectures the whole day…'.
So, they left the Hyuga compound.
Naruto, Sakura, Ino, Kiba, Akamaru, Lee and Tenten were just waiting for Hinata and Neji to leave. Hanabi was near the front gate expecting them with the key.
The youngsters entered the apartment and started the party preparations: balloons, candies, chips, and the cake.
"Thank Gods Chouji is not here or this cake would be gone by now!" – Ino said. But the blond was not paying attention in Naruto and Hanabi eating the chips and candies…
By four in the afternoon the decoration was complete. One by one, the decorators used the apartment bathroom to refresh and change the sweat clothes (it is not necessary to mention that the bathroom itself was a mess…). Some moments later, the other guests were arriving.
Neji struggled to keep Hinata in Konoha the whole day, but she complained all the time. Then, he decided to have tea with his mother. He blessed his lovely grandmother who always had affection for his wife and entertained her all the afternoon.
The left the house about a quarter to five, but Natsume asked Neji to take his grandmother home. They walked slowly and Granny Sanae was talking all the time, waving her arms and giggling. Suddenly, the old lady tripped in a rock and twisted her ankle.
"Grandma! Are you ok?" – Neji grabbed Sanae's arm to avoid a worse fall.
"Oh! I'm fine, it is just my ankle…" – Hinata kneeled and used a healing jutsu on Sanae's ankle. – "Oh dear! That is good! I'm feeling a lot better…"
"Niisan, she must rest. Let's take her to our apartment."
Neji was just wondering about the surprise party, but there was no other solution. Neji, Hinata and Sanae moved to the apartment. They arrived at the front door and Neji said:
"I …huh…forgot my keys. Hinata-sama, can you open the door?" – Neji made the best poker face he could. Hinata stared her husband puzzled.
"Niisan, you forgot your keys? You never forget things!" – Hinata couldn't understand Neji's flaw, nevertheless she opened the door with her keys. Neji held grandma Sanae behind and whispered in her ears:
"Don't get scared. It is a surprise party for her." – Sanae nodded and muffled a giggle.
Hinata stepped inside the living room and turned on the lights:
"SURPRISE! HAPPY BIRTHDAY HINATA-CHAN!" – everybody screamed!
"Oh! My! E-Everybody i-is h-here!" – she had tears in her eyes; but this time were happiness tears. – "Thank you! T-Thank you so much!"
The youngsters hugged her, played with her belly. She turned around to see Neji and Grandma Sanae still waiting in the door.
"You knew! Niisan, you knew!" – He gave a smirk and Hinata rushed and gave a passionate kiss in his lips, which made all the guests make a sound: 'Oh how cute!'. Neji just embraced her and said: "Happy birthday, Hinata-sama".
Sakura and Ino were arguing which music CD they should play; Chouji (eating lots of chips), Shikamaru and Hanabi were talking about nonsense; Naruto, Lee and Kiba were telling jokes to a distracted Shino and an amused Tenten. Hinata was talking to Sanae; Sasuke and Neji were leaned in the counter watching that mess, I mean, party.
"Heh. It's funny, but I missed this…" – Sasuke said, with a half smile in his face.
"You did?" – the Hyuga said.
"Somehow, I feel good watching this mess…" – he smiled and moved to where Naruto was telling a joke – "Baka! You are telling it wrong! You can't even tell a joke?" – and they started an argument.
Tenten left the jokers side and went to seat near Neji in the counter.
"Have you bought her present?"- she asked. He simply nodded.
"What did you buy?"
"Secret"
"Oh come on! Tell me!"
"No"
"Hyuga Neji! This is not fair! I always helped you buy the gifts for your girlfriends!" – she made an angry face, but her mouth was showing a smile.
"I'm getting independent"- he told, giving her a half smile.
"Ok, but this don't mean that you can't tell me the present you bought for your wife…"
"You will know in the right time."
"And I will die with curiosity?"
"My condolences…" – he said nonchalantly and walked to sit next to his Grandmother, leaving an annoyed Tenten.
Grandma Sanae was the new star of the party: first because nobody imagined that the almighty, arrogant, stoic, and Spartan warrior Hyuga Neji had such a sweet granny; second because she was talking about Konoha's foundation and the Shodaime. Naruto was completely absorbed by her stories.
"(….) but most of the powerful clans of nowadays were already here when the Shodaime arrived! Hyuga is the oldest with about 300 years of existence!"
"Amazing! I never though that there was someone who actually knew the Shodaime!" – Kiba said.
"That is because you don't talk with your Grandmother." – Shino told – "My grandfather also knew the Shodaime."
"Oww! This is great! Tell me more Sanae-baachan!" – Naruto was daydreaming in her words.
"What about the Uchiha? How old is this clan?" – Sasuke asked in his normally harsh tone.
"Hum…you are an Uchiha, aren't you. You must be, you look like one." – grandma Sanae was gazing directly in Sasuke's eyes. – "You already developed the Sharingan. The chakra around your eyes is pretty strong…" – Sasuke was amazed by her knowledge. Not only he, but also the others in the room.
"Is it true that the Uchihas are Hyugas descendants?" – Sakura asked.
"Yes, it is. The Sharingan is an ability that was born from the match of Byakugan and another bloodline limit, now extinct. It happened about 200 years ago, or so they say…"
"What other bloodline?" – Shikamaru was fully awake and also interested in the story.
"Nobody knows. Uchihas' Sharingan is a dominant gene, so the consecutive marriages with the lost bloodline caused its extinction."
"Dominant gene? What do you mean granny! Sasuke here dominates nothing!"- Naruto was joking, Sakura punched his stomach and Sasuke simply ignored.
"Dominant means that if an Uchiha marries a common person, it has a high probability that the child will carry the bloodline limit". – Grandma explained.
"That is why they were such a large clan…" – Shikamaru was wondering, lost in his thoughts.
"See, baka, you must get a girlfriend soon! Maybe you can rebuild your clan! But remember that Sakura-chan is mine!" – Naruto was poking Sasuke's shoulders and received a slap on the face from a blushed Sakura. Sasuke simply ignored (again).
"And, what about the Byakugan? The Uchihas have this dominant gene and they descend from the Hyugas, right? So, why Hyuga is not as large as the Uchiha?" – Shikamaru asked.
"You are a smart boy (he blushed)! That is because the Hyugas have a recessive gene." – Grandma Sanae patted Shikamaru's knees.
"Oh! So this means that if a Hyuga marries a common person, the children might not receive the byakugan!" – Sakura said.
"Right. More the Hyuga blood mixes with others, rarer will be the byakugan."
"That explains a lot of things…." – this time, Kiba was the one wondering. He was looking at Hinata's belly.
"Hyuga Main Family is the direct descendants from the founder of the clan. The ones with purest blood. The Branch House are the ones whose blood has already mixed with other lineages." – Hinata explained.
"That is why the Branch House has to protect the Main House, to preserve the purity of Hyuga blood". – Neji spoke with a little bitterness in his words.
"True, but not quite. Some Branch House families have the same pure blood as the Main House. The Main House cannot grow too large, so from time to time, the Head has to remove some members to the Branch House. The last time it was done was about 50 years ago…." – Sanae stopped her speech and stared her feet.
"Grandma…?" – Neji asked, slowly.
"It is an old story, dear….And what birthday party is this that doesn't have a cake?" – she looked at Sakura and Ino, and the girls rushed to the kitchen to come back with a beautiful white cake! They sang 'Happy Birthday' to Hinata and Naruto said:
"Hinata-chan, make a whish!"
Hinata blew the candles and closed her eyes for some moments.
"There! Whish done!" – she said, looking at Neji. There was no need to say what her whish was.
The party was over only after two in the morning. Neji made Naruto and the others clean the mess (specially the bathroom) while he took Grandma Sanae to her house. Hinata was unwrapping her birthday gifts with Tenten (she was trying to discover what was Neji's present).
When everybody left the apartment, Neji took all her presents to the bedroom.
"This was wonderful! I've never had such an amazing party! Thank you, niisan, to help them!" – She was hugging the yellow teddy bear Naruto gave. Neji moved to his nightstand and removed a small velvet box, which he placed on her hands.
"This is my present. I hope you like"
"What is it?" – she opened the box revealing its contents: a golden necklace with two pendants, two golden birds. Hinata lifted the necklace and the pendants next to her face, amused by its glows. She looked at her husband, and handed the present to him:
"Please, can you put it for me?"
Neji locked the necklace and moved to see its effects on her pale neck. The two birds were close to her heart.
"Niisan, they are beautiful! They are our babies, aren't them?" – she was staring the pendants.
"Did you like?"
"Of course! I loved!" – When she raised her head, tears were falling from her eyes – "I loved!" – And she embraced him, strongly, kissing his lips.
Neji returned the kiss in his fierce way, pulling her closer (the closest the big belly allowed). Hinata, pushed him a little and, with red spots on her cheeks, she asked:
"Do y-you think w-we can….y-you k-know….d-do…." – lowering her eyelids and poking her fingers (a classic Hinata move).
"I think so. What did Shizune-san said about…doing…" – he diverted his eyesight to the curtains.
"She said it is OK. It's b-been a l-long t-time s-since w-we l-last…"
"So…" – he gave her another passionate kiss, trailing her neck with his mouth. She was making sighs and whispering his name.
And we better leave our romantic heroes alone, abandoning themselves to the sweet sensations only love can provide.
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Spring finally came, and to greet the season, Konoha's villagers prepared the Spring Festival once again.
Hinata was sat in a bench, appreciating the Festival and wondering how fast that year passed; it was not long ago that in that same Festival she was grieving about the arranged marriage with Neji – so much happened since then. She was caressing her belly; only a few weeks for the babies birth now. The expectant mother was anxious and tired, not only because the of 'twin rescue plan', but also due to pregnancy itself. She was heavy and clumsy, with swollen feet, having discomfort to sleep and needed help to do almost everything. Neji stayed home more often, but sometimes his presence was required in his ANBU squad (he was the vice-captain now); and during his absence, Hanabi, Sakura, Kurenai or Natsume slept in the apartment with her.
"I found them. Near the balloons' stand. Wanna go there?" – Neji said, already stretching his hand to pull her up.
"Y-Yes!" – she lifted up with his help and placed her arm around his waist. His left arm was around her shoulders.
"Oi! Hinata-chan! Come here!" – Naruto was waving his hands and jumping. Hinata gave a shy smile in return.
"Oh my! Look at you! It seems that the baby will pop out any minute now!" – Ino was staring at Hinata´s belly and smiling.
Neji helped his wife to seat in a nearby bench. He stood up, close, like a guardian, placing his left hand in her shoulders. Hinata was caressing his hand and playing with the golden circle around his ring finger. She also had one in her ring finger; they decided to wear the rings after her birthday. That day was signalized as a new beginning in their lives: no more fights for past reasons, no more Main vs. Branch issues; their small family was more important than those things. They would live their lives to protect the little beings they created. After individual promises, that was a common promise they added to the previous ones.
Naruto, Lee and Kiba were still discussing who was the strongest in the "Muscle Man Machine". Obviously Lee was winning. Naruto and Kiba managed to do strong hits but missed a lot others, Lee's accuracy was amazing.
"Heh. The baka hasn't changed a bit in all these years. Still a weakling!" – Sasuke said with a smirk in his lips.
"WHAT! Repeat that! I'm far stronger than you bastard!" – Naruto's face was close to his teammate, and an upright finger between then.
"Prove!" – Sasuke taunted. And the two boys continued an argumentation instead of testing their theories. Sakura was trying to calm them, unsuccessfully.
"Well, they are so close that it seems they will give another kiss like that one, remember Shikamaru?" – Chouji told. Shikamaru nodded.
"Chouji, baka! Don't say that about Sasuke-kun!" – Ino screamed.
"Oh. What happened to that Sai crush you had?" – Kiba asked.
"I I I never h-had s-such a thing!" – The blond girl was blushing.
"Yes, you did! All Konoha knew about!" – Kiba provoked.
"Shut up doggy boy!"
"Ino pig!"
"Oh how dare you! Chouji! Defend my honor!"
"Sorry. You started. Your problem." – and the chubby boy continued to eat his chips.
"Coward! Shikamaru, help me!"
"Nope. Too troublesome." – he was far more interested in the Sand girl on the other side of the street.
"Heh…seems like nobody wants to help you, Ino pig…" – Kiba was still mocking.
"ARRRGGGG! Come here, I'll dominate your mind and make you kiss Morino Ibiki!"
"Dream on!" – and Kiba ran trough the Festival area with Ino behind him.
Hinata was laughing, but stopped to feel one of the babies kicking her belly.
"Niisan…it is moving again…"
Sakura came closer to see and the same did the others.
"Ow! Cool! The baby is moving! Can I touch it ?" – Naruto asked more to Neji than to Hinata. When he got permission, he placed his hands onto Hinata's belly and tried to feel the baby movement. Hinata was blushing.
Tenten came close to see what was the ruckus about. Leaning on Neji's shoulders she whispered a question:
"Can you tell me what her birthday present was, now?"
"No" – he was smiling, imagining that curiosity was one of his friend worst traits.
"Baka!"
Hinata heard the conversation, but nobody noticed. Suddenly her face became more serious and she grabbed Neji's sleeve and spoke:
"Can we go home, niisan?"
"Why?"
"I'm tired." – not true, she was feeling jealous. Hinata never understood if that was one of pregnancy symptoms, but she was more possessive lately, wanting Neji only for her.
"Can't you wait a little longer? Until the fireworks?" – he whispered.
"J-Just a l-little m-more t-then…"
After the fireworks, Hinata and Neji walked to the Hyuga compound.
"W-Why Tenten-san w-wanted to k-know your p-present in my b-birthday, niisan." – women curiosity is terrible, Hinata couldn't wait to ask her husband about Tenten's behavior. And she spoke with a cold tone.
"Because she always helped me with the gifts for my girlfriends, and this time I didn't ask for her help". – he simply answered, aware of the dangers in the current conversation.
"Girlfriends?" – she was staring the rocks in the street pavement.
"Yes"
"I-I t-thought she was y-your o-o-only g-girlfriend b-before o-our w-wedding…"
"No. I had others before her." – he said nonchalantly.
"I never h-heard a-about g-g-g-girlfriends from you….."
"I may be stoic but not a fool."
"……………"
A long silence…
"………………"
Another long silence………………..
"How many?" – she asked.
"That is not important"
"Please. How many?"
"I…Come on, Hinata-sama! Were short relationships!"
"How many?" – her tone was impatient. Neji knew how stubborn Hinata was and decided to tell the truth.
"Four, counting with Tenten."
'FOUR?" – her wide eyes stared him – "T-That many! I…I…..n-never h-had a b-boyfriend b-before our marriage"
"I thought so."- he really wanted to end that conversation.
"I know…the girls?"
"Damn, Hinata!...some you know, some you don't, OK!"
"Who I know?" – now she was having fun, watching his cheeks blush at the mention of his previous girlfriends.
"Tenten…..Hyuga Amane (one byakugan-less distant relative from Branch House)…..Mitarashi Anko….." – Hinata gasped when heard the last one.
"Anko? ANKO? I can't believe! She is older than you!"
"It was a big mistake and lasted only one month!" – he was truly pissed.
"HA HA HA! Anko and niisan! Funny!" – Hinata was laughing out loud, the more she did in the last months.
"What is so funny?" – Neji had a vicious tone.
"Nothing! I j-just c-can't p-picture you two…"
"Foolish girl…"
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On the next weeks, Hinata was feeling constant contractions and some little pain in her lower back. However, with a warm bath and some massage (from her dear husband) the pain eased. But that morning, nothing she did could relief the contractions.
Hinata was a trainee medic-nin, she knew the meaning of that constant pain. She was anxious and scared to face the fact that the babies were coming.
Neji came back from his morning train and found his wife quietly sat in the couch, watching TV. Everything seemed OK and he walked to the bathroom to refresh from the workout. Hinata was hiding the increasing pain, but her heavy breath denied it.
Neji came back, went to the kitchen to get tea cup and sat in the floor, opening a scroll to study it.
The living room was silent, except for the TV noise and Hinata's shot heavy breath.
"How long it started?" – he asked without turning around.
"W-What (pant) are y-you s-saying, n-niisan (pant)" – talking was a hard task.
"The labor symptoms. How long?" – he gazed her over his shoulder. Her forehead had little sweat drops.
"It is not labor…J-Just s-some d-discomfort…" – Lies. She was too afraid. Afraid of the failure of the plan. Afraid to face her Father. Afraid to loose her second baby.
Neji stood up, went to the bedroom and came back with a coat that was placed over her shoulders.
"Let's go"
"B-But…I'm alright…" – she protested.
"Move. We have no time to waste, Hinata-sama".
They left the apartment, walking slowly through the Hyuga compound, praying to find no one in their path.
Unfortunately, close to the Hyuga complex gate, Hanabi came:
"Neechan! Niisan! Wait! Where are you going?"
Neji and Hinata exchanged worried looks, but he fast regained his cold self.
"To our daily walk."
"Are you going near the Academy?"
The Academy was the same path as the Hospital. They had no way to deny Hanabi's company trough some part of the way, but Neji tried one last resource:
"We are going that way, but very slowly since your sister can't walk fast."
"Ok! I'm not in a hurry! Let's go?" – Hanabi didn't notice the apprehensive faces of her sister and cousin.
They walked very slowly; Neji was holding Hinata's waist, pressing his fingers on her back, trying to calm her down. The contractions were increasing and had a short interval between then; Hinata was on the verge of tears, biting her lips to muffle the cries. Hanabi was babbling all time about missions and the coming of the Chunnin Exams.
They walked only 15 minutes but it was like a whole day. Hinata was praying to leave her sister in the Academy soon. Neji remained calm and stoic.
Finally they saw the Academy gates and Hanabi left the party.
Hinata started to cry, no more holding the pain.
"Please, niisan….help me…."
Neji lifted her up in bridal style and climbed the nearest rooftop. Gathering chakra on his feet; dashed to the Hospital.
Running inside he passed through the receptionist and went inside Shizune's office. The medic-nin was scared at that sudden intrusion:
"She is having the babies!" – He said abruptly.
Shizune nodded and guided the couple to an empty room, asking a nurse to call Tsunade right away.
When the Hokage arrived, Hinata was fully prepared to the labor. Neji was by her side, holding her hand. And the Godaime said:
"Neji, do you want to stay?"
"PLEASE! Stay, niisan! Please, I'm scared! Stay with me!" – Hinata cried, gripping his hands. Neji nodded.
"Ok! Then, to the twins!" – Tsunade said with a big grin on her face.
Hinata's labor was not easy due to her young age and small body. The babies were big (they took after their father) troubling the whole process. Shizune gave a medicine to soften the pain and after two and half hours:
"Here! I can see the head! Shizune, fast, help me…" – The Godaime said.
A few minutes later, she was victoriously lifting the reddish small being that cried out loud.
"Well, well. Congratulations! You have a handsome little boy, with perfect lungs as you can hear!" – and she placed the baby boy on Hinata's chest.
The baby was still crying, moving his little arms. Hinata was crying too:
"Look niisan! Our baby! Our little boy! He is so cute!"
Neji was caressing the baby's head and smiling.
Hinata let out another scream and Shizune removed the baby from her arms, placing him in a nearby crib.
Ten minutes after the first one, Hinata and Neji's second child came to the world. A beautiful little girl.
"My, my! Good job you did! A boy and a girl! Two adorable babies!" – Tsunade was holding the baby girl in her arms.
Godaime placed the girl in Hinata's chest and, differently from her brother, she was quiet looking all around with her white eyes. Hinata was still crying of happiness. Neji had a serious look in his face.
"Don't worry. Nobody will know who was the first and who was the second" – the Hokage read his thoughts, and the young man gave a shy smile.
"You must name them!" – Shizune told.
They had talked about names during the pregnancy but nothing was really decided. Hinata looked to her husband, who was holding their little boy now, and said:
"Niisan, you do this. Name them."
"But…."
"Name our children"
Neji placed his gaze onto the boy, now sleeping in his arms and said:
"Hikaru. His name will be Hyuga Hikaru, so he can be the light in our lives." – he looked at Hinata, who nodded with tears in her eyes.
"She will be Hokuto. Hyuga Hokuto, the star who follows the light."
"Good! Rest a little you two. I'll make the other preparations for our plan." – Tsunade said.
"Hokage-sama, do you think I should warn the Hyuga House right now?" – Neji asked, showing the fear in his teenager self for the first time.
"No. Enjoy this time with your children. Call them later."- Tsunade calmed him down.
The Godaime and her apprentice left the room.
Shizune turned a corridor and knocked a door:
"It is Ok. Contact them."
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