Part Three

Kakashi leaned against the doorframe watching Ria, his arms crossed, "Do you really think you should be doing that in the condition you are in?"

"Could you stop treating me like I am some invalid?" she replied in a cold tone, she was packing up all her grandmothers' things, boxing things up without taking a moment to even look at the things she was holding. She felt numb, empty.

"You only just got discharged from the hospital 2 hours ago," he raised an eyebrow, he had followed her home and was refusing to leave her side.

"Exactly," she got up to pick up more things, "I'm no longer a patient so stop treating me like one, and you don't need to hover."

"I'm not hovering," he made a face.

She pushed passed him to leave the room she didn't want to look at him, she didn't want him there, she didn't want anyone.

Since his reassignment as a Jonin-Sensei, Kakashi had taken to spending more time with Ria. He didn't have Anbu missions filling up his time so he decided to undertake Ria's rehabilitation, she had to be assessed whether she was well enough to return to her role as a Chunin.

Kakashi frowned as he fought against Ria, "Why are you a Chunin?"

She scowled and stopped fighting to cross her arms, "What's that supposed to mean? I passed the exam when I was 11."

"I don't mean that!" he sighed, "I mean why aren't you a Jonin already? You have the skill."

Ria was surprised by his words, she shrugged playing it cool, "It's not exactly my decision to make, you'll have to ask the powers to be."

"Well I think you should be promoted, you seem to have surpassed the requirements," he tested her powers, "Why have you never questioned it? Don't you want to be promoted?"

She shrugged again, "It's best not to want anything. I have only ever had one goal, one desire and that's to protect my home, Konoha and hopefully, when you pass me, I'll get back to doing that."

She always surprised Kakashi, he had never met anyone without any real desire whatsoever, sure Ria had been in a relationship, she was engaged, and pregnant, and had that all taken from her. She was alone like he was, no family, no one to rely on but herself, even then she had no desire for more. She was just who she was. Living each day as it came.

"Well," he straightened up, "I will be passing on my recommendation for you to return to active duty."

"Does that mean," she took off her gloves, "That you will stop breaking into my house?"

He grinned behind his mask, "Not at all."

She gave him a look, "Why don't you leave me alone? I can look after myself."

"I'm not leaving you alone, ever," he said it as if it was nothing.

"Why?" he never seemed to give her the answer she asked for, "Everyone else seems to. It hasn't stopped the people who said they loved me so why do you think you are any different?"

He went over and put his hand on her shoulder, "Because I know what it's like and I'm not leaving you. For as long as I live I'll be here for you."

"Well, stick around me and that won't be a long time," she turned her back about to leave but he pulled her into his arms, making her tense, "Kakashi what are you doing?"

Her back was against his chest, his head resting against the top of hers, she was a head shorter than him and fit perfectly in his arms, "You seemed like you needed a hug. Sometimes you can be so depressing," a little flash of humor flitted in his eyes.

"Let go," she gritted her teeth, "Before I kill you."

He grinned and ruffled her hair, making her scowl harder, "I'll be over for dinner, I have a Jonin meeting."

"I am not cooking you dinner," she crossed her arms, "Go feed yourself," she stormed off as he chuckled and headed to the Hokage's office for his meeting.

Ria muttered under her breath, why did she always give in? Why couldn't she just be strong and lock her doors and refuse to let him eat her food? Why did she cook enough for him? Why did she set the table for two? She tried to put it down to habit, her whole life it had been her and her grandma. Days her grandma was in the hospital it would be Ria and Shisui. She had to let this habit go because Kakashi wouldn't always take that spot, he'll leave her, just like everyone else. He had his own life, she didn't mean anything and neither did he to her. He'd have his own family and soon she would be just a memory to him, it'd be just her for the rest of her life. But for now, she was setting the table for two.

Kakashi grinned as he sat opposite Ria, for some reason he didn't feel the need to wear his mask nor his forehead protector when he was in Ria's home. He had also taken off his flak-jacket and sandals, he always relaxed around her, she made him feel comfortable, "I love miso and aubergines," he grinned rubbing his hands together as he helped himself.

"This is the last time, I'm doing this," she took a mouthful of rice, scowling as he chuckled.

"That's what you said yesterday."

"Well, I mean it," she glowered her looks for some reason never worked on him it frustrated her, "You have your own apartment."

"It's better to eat with someone, don't you think, than alone," he glanced up at her a soft smile on his lips, "I haven't got anyone else and you cook so good."

"I'm an excellent cook," she mumbled making him laugh, his eyes brightening, "And you aren't staying the night."

"I am," he nodded, "I bought my things with me this time. I am definitely staying."

"My neighbors are going to talk," she replied sharply.

"Who cares what they think?" he shrugged, "Anyway I feel much better that you aren't alone in this big house."

"I am a 19-year-old kunoichi and I can look after myself," she made a face.

He nodded, "I know, but it makes me feel better, if I wasn't here I'd stay awake all night worrying, and your house is much nicer than mine."

"Suit yourself," she shrugged relenting, "But you better clean your room."

"Yes mum," he chuckled making her throw her chopstick at him as they teased one another.

Kakashi's heart fell when he saw Ria fast asleep on the sofa, he was very late, it was past midnight. The table had been set, untouched the food ready in the kitchen to be served. She hadn't eaten, she had waited for him and during that time she had fallen asleep. He went to her and picked up her sketchbook that had fallen to the floor, she had attempted to draw, he knew how hard she had found it after everything that had happened, she had begun something but only ended up scribbling across the page. Her frustration clear. He proceeded to lift her up in his arms to take her to her bedroom, she wouldn't be comfortable on the sofa.

"You're here," she woke up, yawning, "Give me a few minutes, I'll get dinner…"

"Don't worry, just go back to sleep, I'm sorry I'm late, I should have sent word," he carried her out of the living room, she was tired.

"It's not a problem," she mumbled her eyes drifting, "I like cooking for you…" she fell asleep in his arms, he was surprised at her words, he had always thought she was getting irritated by it, but she did like doing it.

Ria was sitting at an easel, the sun was pouring in, she had time off between missions, now a Jonin, she was wearing an oversized jumper and shorts, barefoot, a paintbrush in hand. Pakkun was sitting proudly in front of her so she could paint him, it had been three years since everything that had happened. Kakashi came over to see Ria's painting, she was really talented, he leaned his head in the crook of her neck he couldn't help but become increasingly tactile around her, he put his arms around her waist enjoying the sensation of her in his arms, "That's really good."

"Well," she smiled at Pakkun, "Pakkun is an excellent model," Pakkun barked happily, he enjoyed spending time with Ria.

Kakashi turned her around so she faced him, he was very close to her, "Why don't you ever paint me?"

Her eyes sparkled cheekily, she bit her lip and then brushed her blue-tipped paintbrush on his cheek leaving behind a blue line, "There you go," she burst into giggles as he stared at her, he loved her laugh, she shrieked and ran as he attempted to attack her, he caught up with her in the kitchen and pushed her gently against the wall.

"How dare you!" he grinned unable to keep a pretense of anger especially when Ria seemed so happy.

"Well you asked," she giggled.

They play fought Kakashi had the upper hand and pinned Ria against the wall his hands pressing hers, they were both breathing heavily their eyes on the other, it all just got very quiet. It was hard to think, to do anything but breathe, he hadn't realized that he'd moved in closer to her, she felt unable to move, or was it unwilling to move. It was as if neither could do anything at all but just watch what happened, it felt as if everything was in slow motion until it happened, it came without warning, he kissed her and she let him. It was a feeling like no other, it seemed like such a simple thing, but developed pretty rapidly, he released one hand of hers, their fingers intertwining where he kept hold of the other. His free hand found its way around her waist as if it belonged there, they were both surprisingly in synch, they both wanted the same, not knowing what to do with her free hand she placed it on his chest, neither was thinking, neither had come to terms with what they were doing, it was just happening. It took a while but they finally broke apart for air, breathless and red, their heads rested against each other as they tried to steady their breaths.

"I…I have to go," Kakashi whispered softly.

"Really?" she mumbled.

"I'll be back, and we…we need to talk about this," he didn't know what to call this, what was this?

She nodded, "Definitely," she agreed this wasn't something they could gloss over, this was serious, both of them had no idea how to react, was this a good thing or was this a bad thing, did it mean something, was it a mistake, were they caught up in the moment, had they crossed a line or was this the start of something?

Kakashi suddenly kissed her again, it was a sweeter, shorter kiss, "I really should go."

"Yes," she nodded again, he couldn't help but do it again, it was an addictive feeling,

"I'm going to be so late."

"Be late then," she blushed, "You always are."

He smiled and kissed her for the last time before finally releasing her to leave, "I'm going now," he turned away.

"Kakashi," she called out making him stumble and glance at her, "Don't forget the paint," she reminded him of the blue streak across his face. He blushed and nodded running off, wiping his face before pulling his mask back on, his mind was fully distracted.

Unfortunately, Ria and Kakashi were never in the same place or in private enough to discuss what had occurred, soon it was too long since it had happened that they both were too scared to bring it up as a discussion topic choosing to pretend it never happened.

Their lives just got in the way.

"Whose that?" Naruto jumped beside Sakura, Kurenai, Asuma, Gai, and their teams, all their eyes were on the beautiful kunoichi who was facing Kakashi.

"It's Ria-Sensei, she's the strongest kunoichi in the Hidden Leaf Village after Lady Tsunade," Sakura breathed, she hadn't seen Ria for a while, she co-taught the kunoichi classes at the Academy, as a Jonin she was sent on a lot of missions hence her disappearance.

"She's very strong," Hinata nodded, they all jumped when Ria punched Kakashi causing him to fall to the floor,

"What was that for?" he clutched his jaw staring at her as he tasted blood in his mouth, she glowered at him, her look was terrifying it made the onlookers pale,

"You are an absolute idiot, Kakashi! Know you're weaknesses! You shouldn't have tried to take him on like that, what did you think you were doing!"

"I'm still alive," he pointed out.

She scowled crossing her arms, "You keep up that attitude and it won't be for long."

"Ria?" Sasuke whispered from behind her, he had overheard the commotion and had come over stunned to see the girl from his childhood there, the girl that once bought happiness in their lives, the girl who he hadn't seen since she told him to run all those years ago.

She closed her eyes for a brief second before turning to face Sasuke, she smiled at him warmly, "Sasuke…" before she could say more he stunned everyone including herself as he ran and hugged her tightly.

"They wouldn't tell me where you were, what happened…I didn't even know if you were alive."

Ria smoothed his hair, "That's weird, I'm perfectly fine, I've just been on missions."

"Why didn't you come…"

She knelt down to his eye level, "Sasuke it hasn't been easy, but look at you," she said brightly touching his cheek, "A Gennin, top of your year…"

"I need you to train me, you managed to fight him, you managed to keep up with him, I couldn't even scratch him."

"It isn't that simple," she said softly she knew what he wanted and this is what she was afraid of, "I am not a Jonin-Sensei, I only teach kunoichi's…"

"But you could fight him!" he was frustrated with her reluctance, "You can train me!"

"But I didn't win," she said sternly, "I didn't beat him…and anyway that was years ago, he's had years to train, to improve," she stopped him from speaking, "I know Kakashi is teaching you and he's the best option for you, he understands the Sharingan and your abilities better than I ever could, if I can help I will but training another it isn't as simple as you think, you need to have a similar style and we don't."

"Are trying to say I'm stupid?" he scowled, insulted by her words.

She laughed, "Not in the slightest," she stood up, "Quite the opposite actually, you're a genius, I wasn't a genius at all. So stick with Kakashi, he knows what he is doing, you need to be patient with the process and if I think I can help you in any way in becoming a brilliant shinobi I will, but for now, I really can't."

Kakashi found Ria by the waterfall Shisui had committed suicide on, it was the anniversary of his death, he sat beside her, in her hand was a ring, he recognized it from the day she had thrown it and then jumped to reclaim it.

They were silent for a moment when she finally spoke, "I really didn't like him when we first met," she said suddenly, her eyes on the ring, it was small and delicate, "We were in the same Academy cycle, he was obsessed with my hair. Wherever I was he'd jump out and try to play with it," she laughed remembering, "I didn't understand him at all. He was just always giddy and excited and he talked so much. I wasn't used to people talking a lot, I was usually with my grandmother so everything tended to be silent we just signed, I thought he was noisy. He was a dreamer, he was always thinking about the future which I don't do, I was always about that second, the present. It was all new to me, and then we got put on the same squad. I dreaded it, we were just so different. That was when I got to know him, the years we trained together, he, he loved Konoha as much as I did. I couldn't help but respect him, he was right, spending all that time with one another, I did fall for him. He asked me out properly when we were Chunins, I thought you know before he was just being silly and dramatic, but he did like me that way. I told him I wouldn't date him if we were both on the same squad so he waited till he transferred into Anbu and then asked me out again. I truly believed that we would always be together when he asked me to marry him I didn't even have to think about it," she played with the ring her voice breaking a little, "I remember every second of his proposal. When he tells you he is going to do something, he always does it, he said when we met that he was going to make me laugh, he did, he said he'd make me smile, he did, he said he'd make me happy, he said we would get married and have children, a family," she pressed her lips together it was painful to think about, "He was always dreaming about our wedding, always telling me how our lives would be and I really did believe every word he said. I was so happy with him. When I found out I was pregnant I wasn't scared in the slightest, I was waiting for the right time to tell him and I knew he would be happy about it because it was what he wanted, a family with me. I wish I had the chance to tell him," her voice broke again, "It's my biggest regret, maybe, maybe then things might have been different. I was so angry with him, so angry that he did this without even talking to me, telling me why. I didn't care what anyone thought about me having a child out of wedlock, no one else ever mattered to me but what was I going to tell our child? That his or her father killed himself, what for? Didn't he love me or them? I have never felt pain like that in my whole life, it destroyed me. I thought I could handle anything, but this…" she glanced at the river rushing below, "He said he loved me but he left me. I didn't want anything to do with him I was that angry, but then I realized…" she took a steadying breath, "Shisui is many things, but he is not a liar and he's not one to give up without a fight, he would never do this if it wasn't for a good reason. He did it for Konoha and I don't know why, what made him do it…I have come here every year since every year I consider throwing this away," she held the ring tightly, "I feel everything I felt that day, the abandonment, the pain, the loss, I can forgive him for dying, because we all have to die at some point, but I can't forgive him for dying without telling me why. Leaving me clueless. I want to throw this so badly, I want to be rid of this pain he's left me in, but," her lip trembled as tears fell from her eyes, "I miss him. He was my best friend, and this is all I have that he gave me I lost everything else, everyone else, but this, I know I can't hold on to this forever, I know I need to let him go, he isn't coming back…"

Kakashi stopped her by making her look at him he wiped her tears away, "You don't ever need to let go, you don't need to forget him, he was a part of your life that can't be erased," he held her hand that contained the ring, "You should keep it, it is yours. But Ria what you can't do is stop love reaching you again, you can't hide from it."

She felt that tingle again, that speechlessness when she looked at Kakashi, he had a way of silencing her by just looking at her, "It feels wrong…I was his…"

"You aren't property," he said sternly, "You are a person, and you deserve to be happy."

"Can't we stay as friends?" she understood exactly as to what he was referring to.

"No," he shook his head.

"Why?" she mumbled.

"Because you know I love you and I know you want this too, you've never been good at hiding what you feel from me, I know your past Ria, I know what you've been through and I know you have been hiding from this for so long, but I won't let you hide."

"You know?" she whispered struck by his words.

He put his arms around her and held her close, she closed her eyes, it was so soothing to be in his arms, she felt safe, "I know what I want, but I also want us to take each day as they come, I want to be happy with you and if that takes us down the aisle, then great, if that takes us to just being friends then great, as long as we are together it works for me. Let's just stop hiding from one another."

Kakashi was wondering around Ria's home, "What are you looking for?" she asked him, she was preparing dinner with Hinata, Kurenai was setting the table.

"My toothbrush, I swear I left one here," he looked at her.

She nodded, "You did, I kind of threw it away."

"Why?" he demanded scowling.

"Because you promised to keep your room clean but the bathroom was a mess so I threw everything out, don't worry, just go to my room, the third drawer on the left has some spares. But you dare to leave it in a tip again and I'll never let you sleep over!" she gave him a look.

Kurenai choked as Hinata stared, "Why does Kakashi sleep over?"

"Are you two living together?" Hinata squeaked.

"No," they both said in unison.

Kakashi rubbed his neck, "She's a good cook and I get too lazy to go back to mine," he left to go get the toothbrush, as Kurenai sniggered,

"Yeah, yeah, I bet it's just the cooking."

Kurenai and Hinata walked into Ria's home, they were usually over at her home, the three had become quite close. They had called out for her but received no response so entered her living room. They stumbled into each other their eyes wide, Ria was fast asleep, that part was not surprising, what was, was where and who she was with. She was lying in Kakashi's arms, resting against his chest as he too slept, one hand under her jumper on the small of her back, the other in her hair. His book had fallen on to the floor clearly he had drifted off while reading. Both girls were stunned, they had no idea that Ria and Kakashi were that close. They edged closer, curious by the intimacy of their relationship, how and when had this happened. Kurenai reached out and poked Ria's cheek to wake her up. She immediately scowled, opening her eyes a little as she saw Kurenai and Hinata who stifled their giggles expecting Ria to shriek instead she retracted from them cuddling into Kakashi's chest, her movement making him hold her closer, "Go away," she muttered.

"What's going on here?" Kurenai raised an eyebrow, her eyes shining.

Kakashi frowned he turned his back on Hinata and Kurenai causing Ria to be between him and the back of the sofa his arms still around her, "Who let you two into my house?"

"Your house?" Kurenai grinned as Hinata added,

"I thought Ria said you two weren't living together."

Kakashi made a face unbeknownst to them he took Ria's hand and showed them, "My wife and I would like to be left alone."

"Wife!" both of them shrieked eyes wide jumping up, they shook the two awake as they glowered annoyed at being woken up, they sat up facing both Kurenai and Hinata, rubbing their eyes as the two marveled at the ring on Ria's hand.

"When? How? Why?" Kurenai spluttered.

"Well," Kakashi sighed, "You kept making fun of me for being here so I thought I'd get a reason."

Kurenai hit him on the head which made Ria giggle and Kakashi blush, "Don't be an idiot, when did this all happen?"

"A few weeks ago," Ria answered her.

"Why didn't either of you say anything?" Hinata asked her.

Ria shrugged, she glanced at Kakashi who was rubbing his head where Kurenai had hit him, "Didn't think it was that big of a deal, we kind of just decided and so got married. We didn't have a wedding or anything, it was just a proposal, papers signed, he moved in."

Kurenai stood up her eyes sparkling, "You haven't had a wedding!"

"No wedding," Ria said sternly she had an intense way of shooting people down with a single look.

"But why?" Kurenai said softly a little devastated.

"It's not a big deal," she got up, "I'll make dinner."

Kurenai looked at Kakashi who just shook his head to tell her not to further the topic, he followed Ria to help her out, the two watched them cook together, a smile on their face at how happy they looked. They hadn't noticed it before, the way Ria looked at Kakashi and the way he looked at her. There was real love and respect for one another. They were utterly in sync, they awed from their position watching the two intently, Ria blushed and hid in Kakashi's arms, "Stop that, it's creepy."

Kakashi chuckled holding her as the other two sniggered, "Stop embarrassing my wife."

Kakashi came home to see Ria sitting on their bed, her legs crossed, she was wearing her usual oversized sweater, the sleeves covering her hands, she had been crying, her head lowered, "What's wrong?"

"I don't know if I can handle it," she whispered, he went over to her not being able to bear her tears.

"Handle what?" he asked her carefully.

"Failing again," she burst into tears covering her face which made him pull her into his arms so he could console her, "Maybe I'm not cut out for this."

"For what?" he was confused not knowing how to help her without fully understanding the problem.

"I'm pregnant," she mumbled.

Kakashi's eyes widened, he felt weak hearing the words he never expected to hear. Ria was pregnant. She was pregnant. They were going to have a baby together. Then he realized her fears. Without a word he pulled her into his arms and hugged her, it silenced her immediately.

"I won't ever let anything happen to either of you. I will keep both of you safe, I promise you Ria."

She nodded, closing her eyes and forcing herself to believe him. It was so hard to believe, she was traumatized from her last pregnancy. It was a trauma tough to shake and as such, even though she cared deeply for Kakashi, that fear still remained.

Kakashi took hold of Ria's hands, she looked up at him confused as to what he wanted, he smiled, "Dance with me."

"Why?" she tilted her head.

"Because I want to dance with my wife," he loved saying that term, there was something so warm about saying it, he never thought he would ever say it to anyone but there she was in his arms, pregnant with his child. He had a family. He had no idea how to let her see how happy she made him, his whole life he had thought he was meant to be alone. With her everything was complete, he was whole. She blushed lowering her eyes as he danced with her, being careful as she was in a fairly fragile state.

"Kakashi," she began, her voice soft, "Are you happy?"

His eyes sparkled, making her blush harder, he kissed her forehead, "Incredibly happy, with you. I love you," he touched her cheek, "Are you happy?"

She looked up and nodded, "I know I'm not very good at talking about these things…but…I love you," that made his heart skip a beat, it was the first time he had heard her say it, granted they had been married for nearly a year and had been in a relationship for a year prior to that and she was pregnant with their child but she had never really been able to say it, till right then. "You make me happy," she lowered her eyes, her shyness getting to her, "I want to be with you," she rested her head against his chest feeling his heartbeat against her skin, she felt so safe, "Like this, forever."

She felt a tear fall on her she looked up surprised to see Kakashi looking down at her, he had pulled down his mask which he usually did when it was just the two, he had a smile on his face she reached up and brushed the tear away, he held her hand and kissed her palm making her tingle, "Forever," he whispered and then kissed her, it was such a sweet loving kiss which Ria had to stop as she giggled, her eyes going down at her bump,

"You're making the baby kick."

He grinned and leaned down to kiss the bump, she was 25 weeks pregnant and on her slender frame when she wasn't wearing her usual oversized jumpers, it was clear she was carrying a child, not many people other than Kurenai, Hinata and Lady Tsunade knew of Ria's pregnancy, ever since she started showing she had focused on research as opposed to active duty,

"Someone's practicing taijutsu already," Kakashi stood up, he couldn't stop beaming, there was something so exciting about the whole process they were going through.

Ria suddenly covered her face in Kakashi's chest, squeezing her eyes tightly, "Oww…"

"What's wrong" he panicked.

"My eyes," she winced, "Oww," she held on to him tightly, it hurt so much, he pulled her back, she was in a lot of pain, she opened her eyes with much coaxing and made both of them jump,

"Byakugan!" he gasped, "How?" her eyes had gone that lilac of the Hyuga Clan, the strain around her eyes, she couldn't stop it, it made her panic,

"Kakashi what's going on, everything looks…" she couldn't breathe, "Make it stop!" she suddenly fainted luckily he caught her, he had no idea what to do or how to help her, Ria shouldn't be able to do the Byakugan, she wasn't a Hyuga as far as either of them knew.

Kakashi took Ria along with Kurenai to the Hyuga Clan Elders, they sought their wisdom on this matter, Ria wasn't able to release the Byakugan having no control over the unique kekkei-genkai, she wore sunglasses to hide her eyes. Hinata's father sat beside his own, they had no idea why those three wanted to meet, but out of respect for the high ranking, Jonin's they agreed.

"It is impossible for anyone without Hyuga blood to perform the Byakugan right?" Kurenai took lead, she had experience with dealing with the sensitive Hyuga.

"Yes," Hiashi nodded, "It is part of our kekkei-genkai, only a Hyuga can possess the ability, why are you asking Kurenai, you already know this."

"Well that's great," Ria played with her hands, "It's not the Byakugan sorry we wasted your time…" she attempted to get up but Kakashi and Kurenai kept her down.

"We need you to tell us what's happened to Ria," Kurenai took off Ria's sunglasses, she tried to cover her eyes but they held on to her hands. The Hyuga's gasped their own eyes wide, "Byakugan?" Hiashi spluttered.

"It can't be," Ria shook her head, "It's your kekkei-genkai and I'm not a Hyuga, I am an Arai and as far as I know we don't have a kekkei-genkai."

"How long have you been experiencing the Byakugan?" Hiashi asked her.

"Since yesterday," she mumbled, "Can you make it stop? It hurts."

"You can't control it?" he reached out and touched her jaw tilting her head so he could look at it properly.

"Obviously not, it's never happened before."

"What were you feeling," Hiashi probed further, "Before it happened."

Kakashi glanced at her, as she reddened, "Happy?" she answered, "Really happy?"

"Intense emotion could bring it out in someone who held the Hyuga blood without training," Hiashi glanced at his father, "That's possible, right father?"

The Hyuga Elder was silent throughout the whole process, Ria cut in, "It's not possible for me as I don't have Hyuga blood, it doesn't make sense."

"Do you know who your mother was?" the Hiashi asked Ria who went silent, even Kurenai and Kakashi were curious, neither had ever had that conversation with Ria. Her father they knew was Takumi Arai a Jonin of the Hidden Leaf Village who died a week after she was born, neither had ever even heard Ria speak about her mother, they thought it might have been a difficult topic.

"I don't know," she mumbled, "My Dad died after I was born and I was brought up by my grandma, we never had that discussion."

"You don't know your own mother?" Hiashi was confused.

"Well grandma never mentioned her and I didn't think she wanted to talk about her, there were no pictures of anyone other than my grandpa or my dad. I didn't want to upset her by bringing her up," Ria lowered her eyes cringing as she was still in pain, "She can't have been a Hyuga though? I don't have any Hyuga traits at all and you'd know about me, surely? You are all so protective of your clan."

"The Byakugan is a Hyuga trait," Hiashi pointed out, "But you are right about that, we would know if you were a Hyuga."

"Her name was Haruhi," the Elder finally spoke, all of them looked at him,

"What?" Ria whispered.

"She can't have…" Hiashi interrupted his father, "It's not possible, is it?"

"Can you not see it, look at her, she might have inherited some of her fathers' more distinct features but she also has Haruhi in her, her Byakugan is just like hers."

Hiashi was even more surprised by this revelation than seeing Ria with the Hyuga kekkei-genkai, "She is Haruhi's daughter?"

"Whose Haruhi?" Ria was utterly confused.

"She was my daughter," the Elder finally explained stiffly crossing his arms.

"What?" the three cried out eyes wide.

"My eldest child and the original heir to the Hyuga main branch, she was a supremely talented girl but as insolent as anything. She rejected the role and let it pass to Hiashi, after the curse seal was put on her she ran away. She had no sense of duty nor discipline. I had no idea she had a child but I have no doubt that you are hers."

"But that doesn't make sense," Ria was reluctant to believe them, "If I was born half-Hyuga surely I would have been able to do this earlier, I am a Jonin I have perfect control over my chakra, I have trained my whole life, and last night wasn't the first time I have had intense emotions…why would this happen now?"

"You did not know so you didn't know what to train for," Hiashi said softly looking at Ria with new eyes, he had clearly fond memories of his older sister, "And the Byakugan is specific to each person it can be triggered by a particular emotion, if you said you were happy when it happened, then you haven't ever felt that level of happiness till then."

Ria blushed, knowing Kakashi was watching her, "Fine, if what you are saying is true tell me how to stop it. I'd like my own eyesight back."

"Close your eyes," he instructed carefully, she listened closing them, "Now just try to relax the chakra that's built up behind your eyes, it's just a focused chakra point, led it flood through your body."

She bit her lip but did as she was told sure enough when she opened her eyes they had returned to her normal brown, "Thanks, that's such a relief."

"Now we must perform the seal," the Elder stood up, "We cannot have a non-main house hold member have hold of our kekkei-genkai."

"What?" Ria jumped up, "You are not performing any seal on me."

Kakashi and Kurenai agreed standing on either side of her as Hiashi stood next to his father, "It is the rules by which our clan works, we need to keep our clan protected."

"I don't care about that," Ria argued, "You aren't putting any curse on me."

Kakashi pulled her behind him sensing the presence of multiple Hyuga shinobi's, "Ria's right, you are not putting any curse seal on her."

The shinobi's jumped down from their hiding position surrounding the three, the Elder tensed, crossing his arms, "This does not concern you, this is family business."

"It certainly concerns me," Kakashi began but was stopped as Ria tightened her hold on him and cried out in pain, both he and Kurenai helped her down to the floor, "What's wrong…" he panicked, Ria was holding her stomach, her breathing erratic.

"Contractions," she winced her hand still around his arm, "It's fine…just keeps kicking so hard."

"You're pregnant?" Hiashi gasped staring at her neither he nor his father had realized as Ria was wearing an oversized jumper.

"No," Ria snapped scowling at him, "Are you calling me fat?"

Kurenai burst into laughter as Ria moved into Kakashi's arms, he held her close knowing that he was helping her pain by his mere presence, "At least we know she hasn't lost her humor."

"We can't perform the seal on someone whose pregnant," Hiashi glanced at his father, "It would be too dangerous."

He nodded in agreement, "We will perform it after she has her child, and when the child is of age…"

"There is no way you are touching either of them," Kakashi narrowed his eyes as Ria tensed in his arms, the thought of any curse being put on her child hurt her.

"I told you Copy Ninja," the Elder scowled at him, "This is not a matter that concerns you nor Kurenai."

"It concerns me because she's my wife and you are talking about my child," he was rarely possessive in front of other people, but this was an entirely different matter, here someone was threatening them, "As far as I care, Ria is a Hatake as is our child so no you are not putting any curse seal on either, you have no right over my family at all. So me, Ria and Kurenai are going to leave here and you aren't going to do anything about it."

"But her Byakugan, she has no control…" Hiashi tried to take a step forward but Kakashi gave him a warning look, they knew that look, he would do anything to protect her,

"We will work it out, thank you for your help," with that they left with him carrying Ria who was a little weak from her contractions.

That night Kakashi lay awake beside Ria, watching her sleep. She had taken everything in her stride and moved on as if nothing had happened, he, on the other hand, couldn't stand the thought that someone out there had wanted to hurt her or his child. They were precious to him. More than precious, they were his life. He ran his fingers through her hair lovingly, she looked peaceful, a glow across her skin, he wanted her to always be like this, calm and happy. His mind went to what Hiashi had said, Ria's Byakugan was triggered by intense emotion, for her, that was intense happiness. She had told him that she loved him, that she wanted to be with him forever, had she never felt that level of happiness before, was he really the cause of it? The thought made him blush and smile to himself, Ria loved him, it was an unbelievable prospect.