Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto
EPILOGUE:
Hizashi inhaled deeply, the smell of the sakura flowers heavily perfuming the spring breeze that danced through his white robes and long hair. The dark brown strands were slowly starting to streak with silver at his temples, as though the steel of his eyes was mingling with the brown strands in a timetable telling of his advancing age.
In all honesty he was hardly old, by civilian standards he could just slightly be more than middle aged. But on days like today when the chill of winter still frosted the early mornings and made his often healed and rehealed body ache down to his bones, he felt the burden of his lifetime with each step.
Step by slow, shuffling step. This path was never one that he felt the need to rush over. Every footprint was a contemplation, each turn a memory reviewed, the journey a pilgrimage to sacred ground. The stones of the official Hyuga cemetery disappeared over his shoulder, as Hizashi trekked to the place for the lost but not forgotten. Where those who had never returned home, could still find rest.
Sunlight dappled the grass that struggled to sprout through the thawing earth of the small clearing. Hizashi instinctually stepped around the fresh blades, mindful of nature's brave attempt to start anew. Kneeling before the large smooth stone, polished by Kami's rain and engraved by his own hand, he lovingly reached out to run his hand over the rounded top, brushing off the twigs and dirt that had accumulated since his last visit.
"Happy birthday Hitomi," he whispered as he gently laid down the flowers that Hinata had left for him, knowing he would be visiting her mother this day and wanting to send her love even if she could not attend herself. Hizashi smiled, these visits were long past the painful sessions of emotional release that occurred far from any prying eyes during the first few years without her. Now they were welcomed moments of rejuvenation, where he could sit peacefully and recall with gratitude all that had blossomed from those dark times.
"Hinata sends her apologies for her absence," Hizashi began, settling more comfortably in the slowly warming meadow. "But it has taken her and Naruto's combined efforts for the last five years to finally organize this first ever Kage Summit, and the timing could not be helped. They have worked so hard toward officially nailing down a Peace Treaty amongst the Five Hidden Villages, you would be so proud of them."
He chuckled to himself, the idea that the rambunctious blond ruffian with no volume control and even less filter could have become the silver-tongued Hokage who could cajole water from a stone never ceased to amuse Hizashi. Certainly though, having a level headed and politically savvy woman of Hinata's status as not only his wife, but his Advisor, was immensely helpful.
It had been hard for the young couple in the beginning. Starting out as Hokage of a massacred Village that needed rebuilding from literally the ground up was daunting enough. Naruto's only legitimate political connection had been with an equally youthful Kazekage with barely any more experience, and fewer resources to share. But that's where the miraculous things had begun.
All those years Naruto had spent wandering around the Land of Fire and beyond with Jiraiya had been a time of sowing the seeds of bonds. Every rice field he had helped plant. Every bridge he had helped build. Every home he had helped construct. Everybody remembered the young man with the hundreds of clones and the thousand watt smile. The time spent amongst the people, sharing their burdens and hearing their troubles, was not wasted. And in Konoha's time of need, they all gave back what they could to the "shinobi who could do the work of a village in a single day." Be it just a wagonload of rice from a small town in the hills, or a barge of building supplies from the Land of Water, the people remembered Naruto's kindness, and he nearly kissed their feet with gratitude.
Today the rooftops of Konoha once more were traversed by young children on their way to the academy, or shinobi hurrying to their missions. The roads were filled with civilians who laughed and bartered in the busy market district. And the gleaming hospital stood proudly as the beacon of medical advancement that it had become under Uchiha Sakura's strict and intelligent mind. It was not uncommon to see her husband Itachi bringing their pink haired daughter to visit her mother in her busy office.
Hizashi had laughed at the story Naruto had told him the other day, of how Kakashi had brought his own son to visit his mother Shizune at work as well, only for the poor boy to be harassed to the point of tears by the ferocious Uchiha's daughter, who was determined to make him the subject of her latest science experiment. The Hatake's laziness seemed to be just as genetic as the Haruno's screeching. Thankfully both fathers were experts in long-suffering.
That was another wonderful thing about the time after the Akatsuki Disaster: despite the depressing state of loss, those who had lived had enjoyed their survival to the fullest. Some had doubled down on their goals with renewed determination to take advantage of second chances, and others had retired completely to enjoy every moment as though it was their last.
Many of the older Clan Heads, including Hizashi himself, had gladly passed on the mantles of their title to their heirs. Although poor Shikaku had been forced to remain present, as his son had become unusually zealous for the first time in his life about his job: Ambassador to Suna. Making bets on how long the Nara heir would be gone for each "mission" to the Land of Wind was a popular way to win some quick cash under the council table. Unsurprisingly Asuma usually won, and would treat his wife Kurenai to a night out without their wild kids with his winnings.
The only other one to still hold his seat was Minato, who despite not even having another Namikaze willing to take the position (Kakashi, as an adopted member of the Namikaze Clan had vehemently refused to go anywhere near anything called a 'meeting'. And the rest of the Clan Heads had been prepared to flat out bribe Minato with anything they could to keep Kushina and her temperamental chains away from them.) enjoyed harassing his son in council meetings too much to relinquish his place. The Yondaime was only about five years older than the new generation, and was an amazing mentor to them all as they set about reshaping the Village Hidden in the Leaves into Naruto's vision.
Yes, the Rokudaime definitely had his hands full. His first actions had been to quickly replace the deceased advisors with his own most trusted comrades, Hinata and Sasuke. The perfect Yin and Yang to keep him on the straight and narrow. Although it was said that advisor meetings could be rather…volatile, to say the least.
Sai was now the Commander of ANBU, and Kakashi's unofficial retirement consisted of him continuing to mentor the fiercely loyal but still slightly dense ex-Root as he negotiated his way as their leader. Sai's extremely close relationship with the Head of T & I, a certain Yamanaka Ino, was also rumored to be producing particularly impressive results. Yamato and Genma were reportedly still scarred for life after walking in on a particularly intense session on bondage techniques that the two Commanders were executing late one night in Sai's office.
A flock of birds suddenly took flight in the trees overhead and roused Hizashi from his thoughts. A split second later the youthful shouts of a group of small green spandex wearing children echoed as they passed by through the treetops just out of sight. Leading the way was a boisterous Gai and Lee, who had taken over training the academy students, and even opened a dojo to serve the more "inspired" future ninja.
When Umino Iruka had stepped up as the Head of Education at Naruto's request, the two Beasts of Team Gai as well as Aburame Shino had filled his shoes. The opposing styles of the teachers combined into a well rounded experience for all the aspiring genin, and the schoolyard and classroom were bursting with bright faces.
Hizashi smiled to himself as he noted that his own granddaughter would one day be amongst them. Neji had shocked the Hyuga when he had marched into a clan meeting just a month after the Akatsuki Disaster and announced that he would be getting married. Immediately. Apparently he and TenTen had been more than just friends and teammates, and in the heat of an apocalyptic war had decided to love while they had the chance. And that chance had grown into a sparkling young girl with her grandmother Haya's bubbly personality and her mother's deadly aim. The simple sparring lessons Hizashi had watched between father and daughter left him feeling slightly scared for any enemy to come up against such a deadly weapons mistress who may very well possess the Byakugan one day. Tenten had already caught the girl hiding senbon that she had stolen in her hair buns.
So far Neji, Tenten, and Sakura were the only ones of the so-called 'Konoha 12' to start a family. Several had settled down, but life was busy, and an end of the Akatsuki hardly meant an end of hatred.
Sasuke and his wife Karin were constantly traveling, using his time-space portal to quickly leap from one hot spot to another and report back to Naruto. The Sound Village, which they had helped establish as a haven for the lost souls left to rot by Orochimaru and Kabuto, was frequently a point of interest. Amegakure as well needed constant protection as they floundered for a stable leadership. The pair were infiltration specialists, the eyes and ears that listened from the shadows as Naruto and Hinata negotiated from the limelight. Naruto's connection to Jiraiya's spy network had been an ever flowing feed of info in and out of Konoha under the Uchiha's careful watch. There were rumors that Itachi had taken over as spymaster of the Sannin's web, but such intel was even above Hizashi's clearance.
A small frog leapt down off of a nearby tree branch and landed upon the makeshift headstone. His bright colors matched the hues of spring and his soft voice croaked out a salutation.
"Sorry to disturb you Hyuga-sama," the diminutive creature bowed politely. "The Rokudaime and Namikaze-sama asked me to pass on their assurances that they have reached The Land of Iron safely, along with Uchiha-sama. The meeting will be beginning shortly."
"Thank you Toad-san," Hizashi replied. "And how is Hinata?"
"Namikaze-sama seemed well, just tired," the toad answered the father's worry. A late winter flu had swept through the Village and even the Namikaze Compound had been afflicted, with everyone but the three Jinchuriki falling ill. Hinata had worked herself nearly to exhaustion alongside Sakura and Shizune at the hospital, before finally coming down with it herself. Both Naruto and Hizashi had been quite concerned, Hinata's healing ability had kept her from ever getting ill since she had acquired her Byakugo no In. But thankfully Konoha had tallied very few deaths, and with the warming Spring already in full swing the flu was rapidly being put behind them.
"That is good to hear. I hope the Summit goes well for them, I know Naruto had especially high hopes. Please feel free to enjoy our pond before you journey back to Mt. Myoboku." Hizashi said.
With an eager nod, the toad hopped back down the dirt path towards the luxurious Hyuga gardens. Hizashi watched him go, then sighed as he placed his hand on the cold stone. "Do not worry Hitomi, the children are happy, even though they are busy. And I am content with life." His fingers trailed down the unofficial grave of the once forgotten Honorable Wife, tracing the kanji that he had painstakingly chiseled night after night while releasing his grief and anger with each hammer strike all those years ago.
"But I still miss you, My Love," he whispered softly along with the rustling wind through the budding leaves. "The air is thinner without you."
"Liar!" the Tsuchikage screamed, nearly levitating off his already boosted chair at the Summit table.
Naruto's nostrils were flaring in indignation, his hot Uzumaki side making his ears nearly shoot steam. This little fart had been nothing but contrary and insulting to both he and Gaara the entire meeting. Completely dismissing every point they'd tried to make and belittling all the ideas Naruto had put forth. He was starting to think it was personal.
Baka! Of course it's personal. Your father humiliated The Land of Stone in the Third Shinobi War. They had plans for a long drawn out battle of survival and he simply eliminated them into surrender. Saved more lives in the long run, but that old geezer still remembers.
Kurama's ever helpful historical insight once again came to the rescue right as Naruto was starting to lose his cool.
"I know you are hoarding those bijū to yourself! Stop pretending that you care about peace when you are collecting the most powerful weapons for your own use!" By the end of his screaming statement Onoki was definitely levitating, and his bodyguard had to reach over and gently push his leader back down into his seat.
Nevermind. Fuck his short ass for all I care. We are not weapons! We have a soul!
Naruto was barely able to disguise his snicker as a cough, glancing up at Hime where she stood at his right shoulder, the picture of regality. But her eyes were zeroed in on the Raikage. The man shifted under her piercing stare, surreptitiously glancing her way while uncomfortably clenching his jaw. Meanwhile Killer Bee, completely unaware or uncaring of his brother's awkward scrutiny and much more interested in Kurama's commentary, nodded his head in agreement with the Kyūbi.
Clearing his throat forcefully, Naruto valiantly carried on. "As I stated earlier, Tsuchikage-dono, I would be more than willing to host an ambassador from the Land of Stone in our Village. Akamichi Choji has been more than welcoming to the Ambassador from the Land of Lightning. Isn't that right, Raikage-sama?"
Ay rolled his eyes. "Too friendly. I think she's pregnant."
Sasuke choked. Hinata gasped. Naruto blinked. Deliberately.
"I see. Well, I uh, think that still…barely…proves my point," Naruto grumbled as he rubbed the bridge of his nose.
"Interesting," Gaara added in a flat tone that made Naruto snap his blue eyes threateningly upon his ally. "I do believe Temari has experienced a similar level of hospitality from Konoha." The Kazekage narrowed his eyes upon his sister, whose face glowered threateningly despite her blushing cheeks.
"Sweet Kami," Naruto groaned.
Mei giggled into her hand. "It seems Konoha is a very accommodating Village. Perhaps I should pay a visit in person next time. What do you say, Chōjurō?"
The poor guy could barely stutter out an incoherent answer whilst desperately adjusting his thick framed glasses and agreeing a little too eagerly.
"As I was saying," Naruto desperately jumped in before anything else incriminating a could be said about his Village.[ "I am more than willing to open the doors to anyone who wants to see with their own eyes that we are not hoarding Bijū." He hid his crossed fingers under the table, which made Hime smile as she ducked her head to hide the veins that throbbed upon her temples. Just three bijū doesn't really count as hoarding right? he figured internally. Saiken was a volunteer. Isobu was more of a rescue. Kurama was there from the beginning. And the ones in Uzushio don't really count do they?
Of course not, Shukaku chimed in. His shrill voice made Naruto's left eye twitch in sync with Gaara's. They are living the dream out there. Hardly what I would call battle prepared. Son Gokū is absolutely FAT.
Look who's talking, Gyūki snickered as he joined the Tailed Beasts' mindscape.
I am not fat! I'm FLUFFY!
Will you stop your goddamned screeching! Kurama bellowed, and all three jinchuriki shuddered in unison, making Ōnoki scowl suspiciously. Naruto can already barely focus long enough to get dressed in the morning, let alone juggle worldwide political negotiations and tune out your caterwauling at the same time. Stop distracting him!
Oi! That's not true! Be nice to me or I will make you wait an extra month for that 'vacation' with Kaya-no-hime. I still can't believe Hime invented that autonomous puppet jutsu just for your furry ass.
Kurama was not even remotely alarmed by Kit's empty threat. You literally forgot to shave the left side of your face the other day.
That was because Hime was distracting me with her deliciously amazing—
"As the Hokage was saying…" Gaara burst out in an abrupt attempt to cut off the downward spiral of the Tailed Beasts' mental conversation by verbally continuing the outward negotiations. Killer Bee pouted dramatically, having been very curious about exactly what the Rokudaime's smoking hot wife had been showcasing that was so distracting. He had his own theories.
As though somehow sensing his lewd thoughts Hinata narrowed her eyes at him, the veins at her temples suddenly throbbing just long enough to make the muscled man cringe.
"Pancakes!" Naruto bit out, flicking his gaze over to Killer Bee before rolling his eyes. "It was just pancakes."
"What the hell do pancakes have to do with my missing Tailed Beasts!?" Ōnoki yelled in frustration, completely oblivious to the internal conversation occurring between the jinchuriki. He suspected something was going on and he was done with trying to figure it out. Slamming his hands down on the table he fixed a blushing Naruto with his beady eyes.
"You Leaf Lovers are nothing but a bunch of shiesty thieves hiding in regal robes! I don't care about your "Plan for Peace" or whatever tree hugging bullshit you're preaching." He stomped across the table and jabbed a stubby finger at Naruto's chest. "I will not recall one single shinobi unit from anywhere I see fit to send them until I find my weapons and return them to their rightful place!"
Instantly Hinata and Sasuke were there, Byakugan and Sharingan blazing. But Naruto calmly held up a hand for them to wait, and leaned intimidatingly into the Tsuchikage's face, all traces of mild annoyance gone. Ōnoki had the sinking feeling he had poked the wrong beast when the Hokage's pupils turned into slits embedded within an icy cold blue glare.
"First of all, I already told you, the Akatsuki kidnapped the jinchuriki and extracted their bijū. The fact that you're more upset about losing the 'demons' than you are about losing the comrades who gave their lives to hold them, tells me everything I need to know about your shitty leadership." His whiskers began to thicken, and Ōnoki swallowed hard.
"Second, it was us 'Tree Huggers' who finally managed to defeat that damned organization, despite certain other Villages feeding them under the table in return for dirty favors. You calling us 'shiesty' is as ironic as a viper calling a mosquito deadly." As he spat out his words, the Rokudaime's teeth flashed, displaying how his canines had lengthened into sharpened fangs.
"And third," he stood with a flicker of red staining his hard eyes, "what makes you think you deserve to have any jinchuriki when you had ostracized the others to such a deplorable degree that it took you nearly a full fucking year to even realize they were gone!?"
"How dare you!?" Ōnoki spluttered indignantly, trying to cover his shock at the truths Naruto had loudly exposed. "Who gave you the right to pass judgement on me? Just because you bear the same name and wear the same hat as that bloodthirsty Yellow Flash, doesn't mean I am afraid of you!"
An eerily wide grin spread across Naruto's face, making Ōnoki's heart rate double. "Since you asked so nicely," he answered with calm sarcasm, "I'll be happy to tell you."
His Rinnegan was a swirling whirlpool of powerful chakra that swept the Tsuchikage clean off his feet, and he sat down hard on the Council table.
Ōnoki was a man far past his prime. He could remember decades back to his childhood, and had heard the way the shinobi of his Village had whispered that dōjutsu's name with fearful reverence. He had just been a boy, but still had done his part in sharpening and polishing the weapons of war that were raised against Uzushiogakure generations ago. Seeing the resurrected bloodline, in all its undeniable glory, left him shivering down to the bottom of his soul.
"Th-this means nothing," Ōnoki stuttered, lifting his chin in an attempt to show he was unafraid. The short Kage clambered to his feet upon the table, making him barely more than eye level with the breathtaking Rinnegan's stare. "A genetic windfall will not sway my opinion. Nor does it give you any authority over me!"
Naruto smirked and straightened. "Hime. Sasuke."
All the Kage leapt to their feet, gasping and swearing in turns along with their bodyguards and advisors as The Three Scions revealed their identities for the first time outside the borders of the Land of Fire. Even Gaara had been unaware that others besides Naruto possessed a Blessed Eye. Hinata's Tenseigan rippled like fields of lavender in a spring breeze. Sasuke's Eternal Mangekyo flared with the burning heat of a raging fire. Naruto's Rinnegan was a stormy maelstrom that flashed with his righteous anger.
Those assembled would forever swear that his voice echoed even in the closed chambers as Naruto addressed the leaders gathered there. "It is by Kami's own authority that we, The Three Scions, pursue the Path of Peace. It is her justice that we use as the scale with which to balance our decisions. Her judgment that we mete out upon the people. Her alone, that we seek to appease with our desire for a world where people can exist together without fear of persecution." Leaning forward he tapped the unrolled scroll that Ōnoki had nearly trampled in his march across the table. "This Peace Treaty is just a small step down a long and difficult path that leads to a better world for everyone. You can choose to join us on our journey, or struggle against God herself for your own gains."
Swiftly turning around with a swirl of his red and black Toad Sage Cloak, Naruto nodded smartly to a nonplussed Gaara and winked at a gawking Killer Bee, before sweeping out of the room, his advisors in tow. The delegates stared after him in stunned silence as they watched the bright white kanji for Rokudaime Hokage that descended down his straight back, disappear out the door.
The mediator shakily mumbled that the meeting would be adjourned until tomorrow before tearing off in the direction of the nearest bathroom.
"Bee," Ay growled, his hands making cracks in the table where he planted his clenched fists. "Did you know about this?"
"No way my Brother, that Hokage is a shocker!" Bee replied, waving his hands in fervent innocence. Ay groaned at the painfully forced rhyme, and stormed out, suddenly rethinking his answer to the Namikaze woman's request on the scroll sealed with the official Hyuga stamp which she had slipped to him before the meeting. Perhaps it is time to put the past behind us…
After three days of heated negotiations, a Peace Treaty was signed. It was not perfect. Many of the things Naruto had wanted addressed were left off in lieu of coming to some sort of agreement before they all died of old age. But it was a start. And more importantly it was the cementing of a means of communication and peaceful interaction between the Hidden Villages that could spell out more negotiations in the future. And at the very least, this would hopefully open up avenues of civil discussion that might avoid violent acts of war.
Ōnoki was immensely displeased. His ego might never recover. His Demons were still lost to who knows where. And his ace in the hole, The Akatsuki, did truly seem to be gone forever. Not only that, but the economic restrictions were going to kill his budget. Especially since The Land of Stone was notorious for using its size to monopolize and nationalize certain trades from smaller towns nearby.
He glared at the back of Naruto's bright yellow head as the man laughed loudly with the other Jinchuriki. Ōnoki's mouth twisted in distaste at the déjà vu of watching the Hokage don that square hat just like that damned Yondaime. The delegates from the Five Villages were chatting outside in the fresh spring air and saying their last farewells before heading home. As the Tsuchikage floated past the trio from Konoha, he couldn't hold back just one more jab.
"Don't celebrate too prematurely, brat," the old man sniffed loftily, making Naruto turn to look him quizzically in the eyes. "You're not the first Namikaze bully to force his will upon us. Your hands may not be as bloody as Minato's—yet—but I'm sure you're just as good at stabbing us in the back. If your father was still around I would tell him to make sure his son doesn't get too cocky."
"You would, would you?" Naruto asked with a mischievous gleam to his eye. Ōnoki took no notice, crossing his arms haughtily.
"That's right. I am not afraid of The Yellow Flash. The man was all show. Anyone can earn a fancy nickname and prance around with a pretty face and a fast jutsu. The Uchiha have been doing it for generations."
Sasuke scowled at the Tsuchikage's hand which waved dismissively in his general direction. Naruto reached into his pouch with a malicious grin. Ōnoki again ignored him, stroking his beard in a display of sage wisdom. "If that man were here, I would tell him to his face that he never scared me. Not for one bloody second."
A Yellow Flash lit the air, and Ōnoki's hand froze mid twist of his mustache, his eyes widening in horror at the man standing before him. "Boy," the Tsuchikage rasped out between clenched teeth, "dispel the henge or kage bunshin or whatever the hell that is this instant. This is not funny."
The 'clone' smiled in exactly the same infuriating way the Yondaime used to when he was being especially condescending of Ōnoki's opinion.
"Come now Tsuchikage-dono," Minato said calmly as he reached out to pat the levitating geezer on his bald head. "Surely enough time has passed that we can let bygones be bygones? My son has worked hard for this Peace Treaty. How about we raise a toast to the future and put the past behind us? I can get us another bottle of that rare sake we shared that night of the failed armistice negotiations in the rainforest near Amegakure. Remember that night? You were so drunk you told me about the lovely older lady whom you had fallen in love with back in that little town on the edge of the valley. What was her name again? Raika, Rika, something…"
Ōnoki screamed so hard he threw out his back, and his poor advisor had to carry his limp body the whole way back to the Land of Stone.
As they walked out of sight Naruto and his father were trying, and failing badly, to hide their immense entertainment at finally having the last word over the notoriously irascible Tsuchikage. Hinata gently tapped her husband on the shoulder.
"Alright, alright. You two had your fun," she smiled tiredly. Naruto's grin softened and he wrapped an arm around her waist. She leaned gratefully on him, still not fully recovered from her bout with the flu. "Now can we just all go home? The easy way this time?"
"Ah. There is nothing to hide anymore I guess," Naruto answered as he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Sasuke? Would you mind?"
The Uchiha did not need to be asked twice, much preferring his Eternal Mangekyo portal to Naruto's nauseating hiraishin, although usually Hinata did not complain about it. With the blink of a single red eye, the atmosphere swirled and opened, and the four shinobi of Konoha easily stepped through.
A week later a small box arrived at the Hokage Tower via special escort all the way from the Land of Lightning. A fūinjutsu seal of extremely high clearance was painted carefully around its edges, making Naruto's eyes dance as he recognized the Raikage's stamp in the center.
"I'm going out!" Naruto called as he grabbed his cloak and pushed his arms into the sleeves. The secretary didn't even raise her head from the pile of paperwork she was distributing amongst a few kage bunshin as she waved him off. Cradling the package carefully in his arms he immediately flashed away.
He landed in the genkan of his home and eagerly kicked off his shoes as he bellowed into the house. "HIME!"
She wasn't in the kitchen. He guessed it was a little late for breakfast. "HIMEEEE!"
The garden was empty, although there was a pile of freshly turned earth waiting to be planted with the newest selection of spring seedlings. His forehead furrowed. She had still been fast asleep when he had crept out in the early dawn light, and her office was empty when he left the Tower.
A quick sweep of his Sage Mode made him raise an eyebrow in surprise to find her still in bed. Her stamina had been down ever since the flu, but to still be asleep this late was unusual. Trotting up the stairs Naruto flung open the bedroom door and nearly dropped the precious box on the floor when he saw his gorgeous wife sitting within a pile of blankets as tears rolled down her face.
"Hime! What's wrong? Are you sick? Are you hurt? What happened? Why didn't you call me?" Questions tumbled out of Naruto's mouth as he fished his petite wife out of the morass of fabric and enveloped her in his arms. Her long black hair trailed over his shoulder as he settled her firmly within his embrace and flooded her body with his chakra, making Hinata sigh contentedly as she wiped her face.
"I'm fine, I'm fine. Just-just tired. And hungry. And queasy. And achy. And scared. And happy. And…and…what's that?" She sniffled loudly and pointed at the elaborately painted box next to them. Naruto blinked at her in immense confusion, unable to make any sense of what just came out of her mouth, so he decided to answer the only part he understood.
"Uh, it's for you. From Ay."
Suddenly her whole body tensed, her watery eyes sharpening and her breath catching in her throat. "Is it—is it…"
"Open it," Naruto said softly, placing the box upon her lap. With one arm still securely holding her waist for his own peace of mind, he released the seal. The kanji glowed and retreated, the leaves of the wooden panels sliding open to reveal a beautifully painted urn of the highest quality. With shaking hands Hinata reached out and traced the regal calligraphy that trailed down the front of the shining china.
"Kaa-san," she whispered as her throat closed up once more. Naruto felt his own eyes water as he held his wife while she fell to pieces, hugging the precious ashes to her chest as he rocked her like a child.
Patterns of sunlight slowly traced along the wooden floorboards as time crawled by, but Naruto did not release his Hime, knowing instinctively that this was what she needed more than any words he could muster.
After years spent locked behind nearly unbreakable red tape of the politics and conspiracy of the previous Raikage's administration, Ay had wiped away the machinations of his predecessor with this act of peace, and let Hyuga Hitomi finally come home.
Naruto pressed kisses onto Hinata's hair, his fingers combing through the long silky tresses. He adored her hair, begged her never to cut it, and now it nearly brushed the back of her knees as she stood to carry the treasure to a safe spot until she could take it to The Hyuga Compound. The midnight black strands would dance around her when she fought like the tail of a comet streaking through the sky. It would fall across their bed in thick waves that reminded him of a gleaming river whenever he laid her down to worship her body. She was as breathtaking today as she had been the first time he had seen her naked by the waterfall, covered by nothing by chakra and water.
"I love you Hime," he crooned, dipping his head to taste her neck as she settled back into his arms. She shivered under his warm breath, only encouraging his growing desire as he pulled her firmly into his lap, making sure to adjust her legs so that she felt just how much he meant his words.
Hinata gasped softly at the delicious pressure of his hardening lust that pushed up against her center through Naruto's pants. Her arms quickly slid around his neck as she rocked her hips, making him groan and begin to tug at the thin nightgown that hid her from his hungry hands.
The cadence of their mingled breaths and heartbeats sped up as they fell into the intoxicating spell of one another's bodies. Her nimble fingers were unzipping his pants, as he tossed her clothes across the room. She moaned loudly as he caught up her nipple in his hot mouth while grasping a handful of her thick hair and full breast at the same time. His teeth sank into her soft flesh as she pumped his length with just the right amount of pressure, a skill learned from years of wonderful practice.
With a growl he tossed her down upon the tousled bed, lifting his shirt up over his head and kneeling eagerly between her spread legs. Hinata drank in the delicious sight of his toned abs as he stretched, greedily running her hands across the gentle ridges and down the V that led to his unashamedly throbbing erection. He hissed when she grabbed him firmly, keeling forward and boxing her in with strong arms.
"Slow down woman," he huffed between the wet kisses he planted up and down her neck. "You're gonna make me blow my load before I even have a chance to play." Hinata opened her mouth to tell him she would touch him if she wanted to, but he sank two long fingers deep into her core and the words jumbled into a high cry of bliss. All further attempts to speak her thoughts were washed away as he worked her in and out. Licking, flicking, and plunging until Hinata was an incomprehensible trembling mess of building desire.
Though he was thoroughly enjoying the sight of his wife slowly unravelling beneath his touch, Naruto's own libido was nearly burning beneath his skin. With a final curl of his fingers that arched Hinata's back up off the blankets in a reach for ecstasy, he licked his wet digits with a lewd swipe of his tongue. Her eyes dilated in that feral way that always made him want to devour her, and she only added to the torture as her own tongue ran across her swollen lips.
He sank inside her in a languid thrust that blurred time and space. The world fell away as they drove each other higher and higher. Muscles burning, hearts throbbing, minds racing as electricity coursed through their veins and chakra danced between their networks. The erotic tension intensified as their pace increased, hands groping for purchase on sweaty skin while open mouths panted with choked cries that escaped from heaving chests.
In a scream of lustful satisfaction Hinata clamped down upon him, making Naruto lose all rationality and rhythm as he poured out his own bursting climax into her tight center. They rocked together, locked in the delicious downward spiral of their ebbing peaks, and Naruto peppered her flushed face with worshipful kisses as he slowly withdrew from her throbbing warmth.
"You're so fucking amazing, Hime," he mumbled as he collapsed beside her. She was so wiped out she only hummed contentedly despite his harsh language. Wanting to extend the floating euphoria, he reached out to pull her onto his chest, but suddenly Hinata stiffened, and her eyes flew wide open.
"Are you oka—" his concerned question was cut off as Hime roughly pushed him away and lurched off the bed, charging into the bathroom and slamming the door.
Dumbfounded, Naruto sat rubbing his chest and staring in confusion at the closed door as the sound of his wife forcefully vomiting filled the room that still carried the heavy scent of their lovemaking. Sliding into his pants he tiptoed to the door and cautiously knocked, waiting a beat to see if she would deny him before pushing his way into the bathroom. Kneeling by her side he scooped her hair away from her sweaty face and frowned in deep concern at her suddenly pale cheeks.
"Hime, I know you said you were fine, but it's been over four weeks since you got that flu. I really think we should go see Sakura, she'll be able to—"
"I did." Hinata's voice was barely above a whisper as she reached for the small towel on the edge of the counter and wiped her face. She sighed as Naruto reached higher and grabbed the glass of water from the edge of the sink and handed it to her. "I went this morning," she said before taking a small drink.
"And…" Naruto stood briefly to grab her bathrobe, sitting down again to wrap it around her shivering shoulders. "Is that why you were crying when I got home? Whatever it is Hime we'll deal with it. You're super strong, and I can make a few extra clones so you can stay home and rest until you feel better. Don't feel guilty at all about work—"
"I'm pregnant."
He stared at her. Her dark lashes slowly raised up off of her cheeks as she lifted her silver eyes to his gaping face. A million thoughts were spinning in his blue gaze, and Hinata swallowed hard before continuing on as bravely as she could. "I'm about eight weeks along, and…and…there's two."
"Two?" Naruto said blankly.
"Babies," her knuckles turned white on the glass of water.
"Baby. Two. Bab-ies. T-twins? You-You're pregnant, and we're having twins?" Naruto still had not blinked, his finger pointing back and forth between him and Hime and her stomach, over and over again.
"It does run in my family," she mumbled miserably as Naruto instantly went into Sage Mode and concentrated very carefully until he saw the faintest flickers of chakra low within her abdomen.
"I see you," he whispered shakily, "both of you!"
The glass flew out of her hand and rolled on the tiled floor, spilling water everywhere when Naruto yanked her up into a fierce embrace, twirling them crazily around the small bathroom as he danced with pure glee. His nonsensical mixture of laughter and tears was abruptly cut off as Hinata heaved and gagged, clapping a hand over her mouth.
"OH GOD! Hime, I am so sorry! Here let me help you! Should I start a hot bath? Do you want more water? A back rub? What can I do?"
Hinata scrunched up her face as the wave of nausea that seemed to always come out of nowhere roiled in her gut. "Just don't ever touch me again," she groaned into the white porcelain bowl.
Luckily her adoring husband had not heard her sarcastic request, as he was storming down the stairs in search of the ginger tea that she'd been drinking nearly day and night.
Three days later Naruto was nearly skipping down the road towards Ichiraku's with his Hime and his parents following behind. It was the end of another long day, and despite the continued rough mornings, Hinata was usually fine later on, and able to fulfill her duties in the Hokage Tower. The only interruptions were those of her husband's clones, who were constantly stealing away from their duties to shower her with kisses or cinnamon buns or just simply stare at her and giggle foolishly. The administrative staff was suspicious as hell, though so far no one had said anything.
But tonight was the big night! Although Hizashi was unfortunately gone on Hyuga Clan business (something he frequently offered to do so that Neji had more time at home with his family) Minato and Kushina were being practically dragged to the family's favorite ramen shop by a nearly bursting Naruto.
"Will you knock it off!" Kushina scolded her son, taking a half-hearted swing at him as he bounced ahead of her. "You're the Hokage! At least act like it in public!"
Minato cringed at her harsh tone. He loved his wife dearly, but the woman had been so grumpy lately that it was noticeable to everyone except his dense son. While he mentally tried to calculate if it was the particular time of month to buy that "special chocolate", Naruto retaliated brashly.
"You're just scared that I'm going to beat your record!" Naruto taunted his mother. "I was only four bowls short last time, and I'm feeling double hungry tonight!" He winked broadly at Hime and she bit her lip at his obvious pun.
Misunderstanding Hinata's blushing cheeks as embarrassment of a different cause, Kushina finally managed to slam a fist onto Naruto's thick skull. "BAKA! You're humiliating Hinata-chan! Just for that I challenge you to a ramen eating contest! Right here, right now, dattebane!"
"You're on, dattebayo!"
Minato and Hinata hung their heads in exasperation. So much for a delightful family dinner. Smiling sympathetically at his daughter-in-law, Minato graciously offered her his arm as the other two Namikaze charged down the road chanting 'ramen contest, ramen contest'. Hinata laughed in good natured commiseration and chatted easily with him as they walked under the purpling evening sky.
The contest was absolutely cutthroat. Bystanders were gawking on their way home from work. Ayame surreptitiously slipped through the crowd taking bets on the winner. The bowl count climbed with each empty dish added to the series of towers balanced along the bar. Teuchi was in noodle nirvana, his game face firmly in place as he whipped out one bowl of warm perfection after another.
The end was near. Minato and Hinata were each holding their breaths as they stood well back from the battlefront. He in tense anticipation, and her in near nauseous aversion. The competitors were snarling in between slurps, determined to never give up.
"Wow," Minato exhaled, rubbing the back of his head in awe. "They've both blown past the record. Kushina isn't even slowing down. Maybe all that grumpiness was just hunger? She hasn't eaten like this since she was pregnant…with Naruto…oh my god."
Hinata hadn't heard a word he had said, finally losing her battle with her stomach. "Oh my god," she whispered miserably as a noodle landed with a wet splat by her shoe.
Kushina suddenly froze, clutching her mouth and her gut at the same time. "Oh my god," she groaned before running around the back of the building.
"OH MY GOD!" Naruto hollered as he pumped his fists in the air. "I finally did it! I beat Uzumaki Kushina at a ramen eating contest!" But his celebration was cut off as Hinata clamped a hand over her own mouth and bolted around the opposite side of the same building.
Naruto and Minato were left blinking at each other in an empty ramen booth. Teuchi was down for the count, and Ayame was collecting her winnings from the dispersing onlookers.
"She's pregnant," Minato mumbled dazedly.
"Oi, who told you?" Naruto pouted, crossing his arms. "I wanted to say it."
His father shook his head incredulously. "How did you know?"
"Me?" Naruto pointed at himself in offended annoyance. "I was the first person she told, of course!"
"What?!" WHY YOU? She should have told me!" Minato clutched his chest in wounded dismay.
"What d'you mean 'why you'?! She loves me more than you, that's why!" Naruto snorted haughtily.
Minato narrowed his eyes on his son. "Well…maybe…that's debatable. But this is different! I should have been the first to know!"
"Know what?" Kushina asked weakly as she stumbled back into the lamplight of the ramen booth. Hinata reappeared at the same moment from the other side, patting her mouth with a paper napkin that she pulled off the bar.
"That you're pregnant!" Naruto and Minato said at the same time, each looking at their own wife.
"Who's pregnant?" Kushina straightened, eyes sharp once more and zeroed in on Hinata.
Naruto pointed proudly at his Hime. "She is!"
"She is?" Minato gasped, his head snapping back in Hinata's direction.
Naruto's face twisted in confusion. "Well, yeah. Who did you think I was talking abou—oh my god…" He pointed his other hand at his mother. "She's pregnant!?"
"I AM?!" Kushina shrieked, then lifted her hands and began frantically counting unknown numbers on her fingers. Fuck, when was my last period again…
"You are too!?" Hinata cried, her hands fluttering over her own churning stomach.
"I'm gonna be a grandpa?" Minato yelled in Naruto's face.
"I'm gonna be a brother?" Naruto intensely screamed back.
The two men burst into hiccuping tears of joy as they sobbed loudly and hugged each other in shocked elation. Kushina was leaning hard against the wall, staring in disbelief at the eight fingers she held up before her watery eyes.
"Congratulations, Kaa-san," Hinata whispered through trembling lips as she reached out for her mother-in-law. Kushina crushed her in a fierce embrace, sniffling through her smiles as Isobu shyly confirmed her suspicions. "Oh my god, Hinata! Congratulations my dear! I'm so happy for us all!"
