The house had a familiar feel to it as he explored it, it was a traditional build, with only the washrooms, toilets and kitchen being designated. There were two toilets, one on the south side of the house, and one on the north side of the house, same as the washrooms.

Chiaki admitted she normally used a room near the north side of the house for sleeping. Another tradition that was practiced was the children slept in the same room as the parents until they were roughly teenagers. That was alright with him. She revealed that while she was growing up she slept on one side of Shunsui while her sister Mizuki slept on the other.

After Mizuki passed away however, she had adapted to co sleeping with Tetsuya, something she planned to practice with the baby once it came. He was fine with the river sleeping method, which would mean that he was one bank, she was the other bank and the children in between them were the water. Tetsuya usually slept by him, next was Suzume who slept between Tetsuya and Chiaki. Once the baby came they'd be between Suzume and Chiaki.

With that being said however having three children in their care would make it difficult to spend any one on one time with her. She however didn't seem concerned about that aspect, and he quickly realized why. Twice a week either Shunsui or Nanao took the children for a few hours in the afternoon or early evening, it was an arrangement that they'd discussed once they learned that he had passed on in the living world he originated from, should they reunite.

So far that had worked out quite well, and if for some reason neither of them was available it was usually Hanataro or Kiyone who would take them for a few hours. So far that hadn't happened, but Chiaki had told him of her plans. She explicitly trusted her father around children explaining that while he is a pit of a party animal, he tones it down quite a bit when young children are a round, only drinking if at least one adult remains sober.

The arrangement she'd set up with her family had worked quite well for the past month, and her belly was definitely growing. He'd swear it had doubled in size since he found her and moved in with her. The flashes were still happening however, and sometimes caused him to behave a bit oddly. He was currently standing in front of a mirror, rubbing the center of his forehead. He'd had another one, where he was looking in a mirror in a washroom and had some sort of green symbol or tattoo on his forehead. He wondered why it didn't come over with him.

"Neji, can I come in? I just need to wash my hands," her voice called into him.

He nodded, then felt embarrassed realizing she couldn't see him. He then elected to call back to her, "yes. "

He watched as the door slid open, and then closed. She took note of him, standing there with a towel around his waist, and looking at his reflection.

"Is everything okay?"

He nodded with the reply, "yes, I believe so. Chiaki—uhh—when people pass away do they lose any tattoos that they had?"

She smiled as he moved off to the side so she could use the sink. She wet her hands in the basin of the sink and grabbed the soap, lathering up her hands as she answered, "not normally. I think I know where this is coming from though. You had another flashback?"

He confirmed this, explaining what he'd seen to her. She let out a heavy sigh as she revealed, "That knowledge was a source of pain for you when you were alive—enough that for about a decade you resented your family."

"Huh? Why? It wasn't a tattoo, like the ones Renji has? What was it then?"

She steeled herself as she explained, "it was a curse mark. A seal that the members of the main family of the Hyuga clan used on branch members to permanently deactivate the Byakugan when a member of the branch family dies. It was also used to inflict severe pain upon Branch members when they disobeyed the main members of the family."

He stood wide eyed as she explained and nodded a little, "I see."

"However, you told me before that there was someone, Naruto, who freed you from your hatred towards your family. You used to feel like you had no choice but to serve as a sort of bodyguard to your Uncle and cousins, but Naruto said something—I'm not sure what exactly it was—but whatever it was made you believe that you could choose things for yourself. That your own path was your choice, and you didn't have to do exactly what the main family wanted you to, and that helped alleviate your pain. I'm sorry Neji but I don't know more than that," She concluded.

He nodded, seeming sad before he gave a small smile and added, "maybe I'll remember what this Naruto told me."

"Maybe," Chiaki agreed as she moved to leave the washroom. He grasped her wrist and inquired, "are you alright?"

"I'm fine. The baby too," Chiaki replied.

He shook his head and clarified, "that's not what I meant. Since we got the results from Mayuri you've been closed off—distant. Is something troubling you?"

Chiaki closed her eyes and wondered to herself, 'How can I tell you I'm the one who gave you amnesia? How could I possibly-'

Without saying a word he wrapped his arms around her and cuddled her close to himself. She found herself swallowing a lump in her throat, feeling the conflict rising within her. She did long to be held by him, but she didn't feel worthy of his affection, knowing what she did. She had done something that caused him harm. Unknowingly or not, she knew she was responsible and he didn't. If he did find out he'd hate her.

"It's nothing," she lied.

"I don't believe you. But if you don't wish to talk about it now, we don't have to," he responded. His hand rested on her stomach, smiling when he felt the little one moving around inside. Four more months and the baby would be here.

He kissed her cheek, then her hair, and testing the waters placed a one on her neck. He heard her gasp and smiled to himself. She glanced at him over her shoulder, and he took the opportunity to capture her lips with his, his hand gently cupping her face. She returned his kiss, turning to wrap her arms around his neck.