Chapter 37: Parenthood
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It was a rainy day and Shinji was stuck inside. He took in a large whiff of the air and smiled as he looked outside, from the porch.
"Mamma, can we go outside?"
"If we go outside, mamma and your little brother will get drenched in water." Hinata said while she was on her back, her hand resting over a mountain of a belly. "Do you want mamma to get sick?"
He shook his head, then pushed himself on his knees, turning his attention back to moving all his colorful toy pieces on the shogi board.
"Shinji, what would you like for your birthday?" She watched her son concentrating hard on a thought, knowing he was just pretending to be like his father.
"Shinji?"
Her son let out an exasperated sigh of irritation when his concentration was broken, leaning his hand on his round pink cheeks. He put a shogi piece in his mouth.
"Hmmmm, mochi."
"Your toys isn't a snack. That's why mamma put a bowl of fruits right next to you."
His hazel brown eyes trailed to the bowl, and he put the shogi piece back down, reaching for a seedless grape. He then smiled.
"Thank you, mamma!"
"You're very welcome. Papa wants to know what you would like for your birthday. Would you like a big party, with lots of family and lots of friends?" Hinata asked.
"Does mamma like parties?"
Hinata laughed and rubbed her belly. "I want to know what Shinji likes."
"Strawberries, cherries, kiwis." He said as he pointed to the garden outside.
"And what would you like to do for your birthday? Don't you want to see your cousin Renji?"
Shinji shook his head. "I want to eat and play with mamma and papa."
"But we do that every day."
He shook his head earnestly.
"We don't eat mochi every day."
She laughed again. "Alright, then, mochi it is."
Shinji got up and his small feet tiptoed as he walked around the game board, crouching by his mother as she lay on her back.
"Be gentle to your little brother," Hinata warned him, sensing his intent to want to touch.
"Why is little brother always inside mamma's belly?" He asked as he gently placed his head over her belly. She touched his brown hair, briefly caressing it.
"Shinji, you used to be this small before," Hinata made a hand gesture. "Just like your little brother, you were also inside mamma's belly for nine months. I can show you pictures later."
"Mamma…" He made a face, his amber eyes tearing up. She reached out and gently touched his cheek.
"Don't be sad. That was many years ago, and now you're a big, healthy, and strong boy. Do you remember how old you're going to be this year?"
He held out three fingers.
"Amazing!" When she smiled, he smiled also. "And do you remember what next week is?"
He shook his head.
"It's your birthday."
"It's your birthday!" He repeated while pointing at himself.
"Remember, to mamma, it is you. But to you, it is me. Do you understand?"
"I don't understand."
"That's because you rarely say it, but to you, 'It's my birthday''"
"It's my birthday."
Hinata nodded, pleased. "Yes, it's your birthday."
He touched her belly again. "It's my little brother."
"He's my little brother." She corrected him.
Shinji removed his hand and his brow furrowed. "I don't understand."
She laughed again, brushing his brown hair. "You don't have to understand today, but mamma's happy you know a lot of words for your age."
Shinji rose to his feet and took off running when the door that connected to the living room opened.
"Papa!" He jumped into his arms. Shikamaru leaned down and scooped him up with a smile.
"You have a lot of energy," Shikamaru said, and glanced back at Hinata, hiding his worry he won't get alone time with her tonight.
"He took a nap earlier, but mamma is sleepy."
"Papa, can we go outside?" He pointed to the rain, knowing he'll do anything he asks.
"You can't, you'll both get wet," Hinata said.
"Shinji, go find your nana and ask for an umbrella, a raincoat, and rain boots so mamma can rest and be up all night." When he put Shinji down, the toddler took off running, screaming happy gibberish down the hall as his brown hair swayed behind him.
When they were alone, her eyes narrowed and she looked at him.
"You're such a pervert. I'm glad he doesn't understand."
He chuckled, and offered his hand to help her sit up and she kept her free hand resting over her stomach. She awaited to hear the news, as he leaned down and kissed her forehead.
"How did the meeting go? What did they say about the inheritance?" She asked with a frown.
"With our son turning 3, the elders want to honor the contract and name him the only heir."
"But they already have Renji!" She had been hoping she could keep any of her sons away from her clan.
"The elders are against your father's oldest grandson. Your sister is standing firm on not naming Renji's father." Shikamaru said, though it was easy to see who Renji's father was.
Renji was a carbon copy of someone Hinata hasn't seen in years. Although Renji is Hanabi's world, Hinata still wishes she could go back in time and stop her from going on the trip she took with team 7.
Hinata was certain something had happened while away from the village, because months after, Hanabi's baby bump suddenly started to show. Her sister insisted on saying she doesn't remember. But when Renji was born, Hinata immediately suspected. At the time, Hinata had been only a few months pregnant with Shinji, as she had put motherhood off thinking she wasn't ready.
Her little nephew was also the reason Hinata rarely ever visited her sister. She understands that Sasuke doesn't know, as Hanabi has done everything to keep team 7 away from her life. There were whispers of how the only time Renji has been allowed outside, was when Hanabi sometimes visited her home. She always kept Renji hidden under a cloak when in public.
Thus far, Hinata had kept away from meddling, because at the end of it all, Sasuke ended up hurting her sister's feelings.
Shikamaru frowned, thinking of how he would probably feel if someone had withheld such important information from him. He couldn't imagine the grief of finding out about an unknown son.
"What your sister is doing is torture. If I were to find out, a decade later, that you had willingly kept my son away from me, I would feel angry, resentful, and devastated." Shikamaru said reflectively.
Hinata's heart was filled with sadness upon hearing such words. She hid her frown when Shinji came running back, in a yellow raincoat and matching boots in his hands. He gave an umbrella to his father while holding his small umbrella in his hand. Although Shikamaru was right, was it okay to meddle?
"Papa! It's my birthday!"
"No, Shinji, that's next week. Look at my fingers, this is how many days are left before your birthday." Shinji nodded towards his mother, seemingly understanding. "Can you tell papa what you want for your birthday?"
"I want to go outside."
Hinata laughed, turning to Shikamaru with a smile. "Shinji said he just wants to eat mochi and play."
Shikamaru smiled. "Then let's make it into a lazy family date."
Hinata nodded.
"We have all the fruits he likes in our garden," She motioned outside, to the fruit trees getting rained on.
"That's perfect."
Hinata watched from the porch, enjoying their son's cute and innocent laugh which brought so much warmth and love inside her heart. Her wish just then, was for him to never change and always remain sweet and loving. It occurred to her to keep him away from ruling her clan. But for that to possibly happen, her sister would have to name Renji's father…
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Ever since Shinji understood the word mine, everything was his.
On the day of his birthday, he stood up on a tall wooden baby chair, attempting to help his mother make mochi in the kitchen. Before him was a bowl of fruits sitting in water. He dipped his hand, fishing around for a kiwi.
"Mamma, my kiwi!" He held two kiwis against each other, singing a gibberish made-up song while placing emphasis on the word he had learned. He was so cute. She understood why strangers sometimes had mistaken him for a little girl with his shoulder-length hair and wide pupiless eyes.
"Shinji, you told mamma about your favorite fruits. But do you remember what you wanted for your birthday?"
He looked thoughtful.
"Mochi."
"Yes, mamma is making mochi with those fruits so put them back."
He put down one kiwi but held up the other.
"Can I eat one?"
"If you eat it, it'll be gone forever."
"I want one."
"Then you may," She giggled at his expression as he took a bite. "Is it sour?" Hinata asked.
"It's delicious!"
His eyes followed his mother as she moved to the stove, whipping something inside a pot with a wooden spatula. He reached out to her.
"Mamma, Is it heavy? Can I help?" He asked with worry as she seemed to make faces. Both didn't notice how his shadow grew larger.
"It's hot, and fire is too dangerous, so I'll do it."
He reached for the bag of flour she had left on the counter and dipped his wet hand inside, his eyes intrigued by the change in the flour's texture once it had come in contact with water. He rubbed it around like clay, shaping it into a ball.
"Mochi!" He said in the background.
Hinata turned around and smiled, holding the pot in her hand, showing it to him. She heard a phone right in the background, but didn't move to answer it, since Shikamaru was likely closer to it.
"No, Shinji, this is the mochi." She replied as she was finally done with whipping the mochi into the right consistency.
Shikamaru entered the kitchen and hugged her from behind, before lifting Shinji out of the chair.
"Grampa is on the phone and he wants to congratulate Shinji. Come, let's get your hands cleaned up." Shikamaru said, taking the dough away from him, before throwing him on his shoulder.
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Shikamaru watched Shinji's eyes light up when he heard his grandfather's voice on the other side of the phone. Part of him wondered if their relationship was going to change now that he'll be schooled on the Hyuga's ways. Minutes passed and he placed a hand on Shinji's head, and his light brown eyes turned his way, as he tried to give back the phone.
"Grandpa talks a lot."
Shikamaru chuckled, before taking back the phone. As Shikamaru continued to talk on the phone with Hiashi, he noticed Shinji looking at his own shadow.
"Oh!" His son yelled.
"Hold on, can I call you back?" Shikamaru asked, hanging up the phone. He approached Shinji and kneeled in front of him, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"My shadow moved!" Shinji pointed to the floor.
"Your shadow always moves with you." Shikamaru replied.
"No." He shook his head. "I didn't move."
Shikamaru grinned. "Did it move on its own?"
Shinji nodded.
Shikamaru grabbed his small hands, guiding them into the symbol required to manipulate shadows.
"You've seen papa do this before. Can you try it?" Shikamaru asked as he showed him the hand sign, before proceeding to manipulate his own shadow.
"I don't understand, papa."
"Tell your shadow to move."
"The mochi is almost ready," Hinata called out as she came into the room, while adjusting her kimono apron. She paused, looking at the two. Her eyes widened when she recognized the sign.
"Mamma! Look!" Trying to impress his mother, and wishing to be like his father, Shinji's shadow moved to hold her. The shadow stretched across the room to reach her, but Shikamaru immediately pulled both of Shinji's hands apart, and his shadow stopped.
"We don't use it outside of training, do you understand?" Shikamaru said, his voice serious.
Shinji nodded, his body growing rigid as he had never heard his father use that tone before. He glanced at his mom with teary eyes. Was he in trouble?
"Honey, it's fine." Hinata said sweetly as she reached out to hug him. "Congratulations, Shinji, you're just like papa."
His teary eyes immediately disappeared upon hearing those words, and then he was happy again.
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Even though Shinji had only asked for mochi for his birthday, Hinata still ended up cooking a 3 course meal for dinner, before bringing out a birthday cake with his name written in frosting, topped with three candles lit up. Yoshino had come over, and the four took plenty of photos after singing happy birthday. Shinji wouldn't admit he was sleepy towards the end of the night, as he continued to pick at the frosting with his fingers while yawning.
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Hinata watched with her arms crossed, as Yoshino had just finished putting Shinji to bed, and lightly stepped outside, closing the door slowly. The maid, whose shift just ended, walked up to her.
"Do you need anything else before I leave, Hinata-sama?"
"No, thank you," Hinata said with a smile.
The maid nodded, before making her way towards the exit.
"So my grandson is the heir, and today he learned how to manipulate his own shadow."
"Father loves Shinji dearly. He'll take good care of him." Hinata replied, sensing Yoshino's worries.
"I just hope he doesn't end up getting bullied by your clan. He's such a sweet boy." Yoshino replied.
Hinata had the same fear before, but now that Shinji knew how to move his shadow, she wasn't worried as much. He could fight back.
"How old was Shika when he learnt?" Hinata asked.
"His father learnt at 6, and my son learnt at 5. We may have a prodigy in our hands."
"Since he's only 3, they'll teach Shinji about our clan's etiquettes and fighting stances to help awaken his Byakugan. But if I find out he's getting bullied, my son has my permission to use his shadow to make them all bow down before him. He can still be sweet, but he won't be a pushover."
"Don't tell Shika you said that, you know how he feels about violence."
Hinata nodded. "I know."
She walked Yoshino to the exit, and waved as she walked away.
Hinata found Shikamaru already in bed.
She slipped off her silk robe, tossing it over a chair, exposing her nine month belly in the two piece silky pajamas. He sat up in bed as she approached him for a hug. He kissed her before kissing her belly.
"You look ready to pop at any moment."
"That doesn't ever seem to stop you, does it?" She said suggestively.
"Troublesome, It's not my fault my wife looks sexy all the time." He chuckled. "But I won't keep you up tonight."
"That's very thoughtful of you. What's the occasion?" She asked while letting her long hair down.
He hugged her again. "Three years of motherhood. Congratulations Hinata. You've been wonderful to our son."
She smiled happily. "Having Shinji, I never thought I could be so happy," She said, while rubbing her belly. "I'm really looking forward to his little brother. I hope he's just as sweet,"
"Precisely. I hope you don't mind me looking forward to many more," he said, his hand on hers. He then caressed her hair, noticing a lot of strands of pastel lavender hair that almost looked silver under the light.
"Sorry honey. I think Shun may be our last one,"
"Have you been experiencing stress lately?" Shikamaru asked, touching her hair.
"I don't think so. My hair's been doing that for some time. You don't notice it much because I normally wear it up."
"Ah."
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The next day, Hinata stared at the phone for some time. It was the middle of the afternoon, with Shinji sleeping and Shikamaru working inside his office. She glanced down at the card which contained the Hokage's number, along with the extension number should anyone need to reach the advisor.
She placed a hand on her belly and sighed. She finally reached out, to dial.
When she heard his voice answer the phone, she almost hung up. She has been silent for 4 years, but Shikamaru's word snapped her out of her bitterness, afterall, it wasn't Hanabi that was suffering because she was perfectly fine with Renji in her life. However, Sasuke is the one that will suffer the greatest if this keeps going.
"Sasuke…" She leaned her head to the phone, her hands nervously fidgeting with the phone's wire.
Hinata? His heart stopped beating. How long has it been since he last spoke with her? He stayed quiet and fought back the urge to tell her how happy he felt to hear her voice.
"Naruto is kind of busy right now. This Hokage job isn't as glamorous as he thought it'll be. Should I leave a message for him?" He said emotionlessly.
"I see. That won't be necessary. Um, how's Sakura-chan doing? I hope she knows we're sorry we had to miss their wedding. I was preparing for labor around that time."
"Sakura's been getting Naruto in trouble since she's been very needy lately, and demanding of his time. It must be because her belly is almost as big as yours."
Eh? How does he know?
"Have you been stalking me without my knowledge?"
"I happened to see you in town, with your daughter, the other day." He said, knowing full well Shinji was a boy.
"That was actually my son! And you're pretending not to know this, Advisor-san." He closed his eyes, listening to the sound of her voice against his ear, feeling like he was undoing any years of progress he had made so far, and suddenly they were back inside the fire again.
He laughed. "You got me there, since it's basically my job to know everything."
He could sense her smile. Still, he couldn't imagine why she would be calling.
"Um, I have a question for you, and be honest… Did something happen between you my sister?"
His dark lashes fluttered open. He hummed a response. Why was she asking? He was sure she already knew this, which might be why Hinata had always gone out of her way to avoid him for years.
"Do you hate me for it?" He asked.
"You hurt her feelings. Of course I'm going to feel a certain way. Which is why I ask you to forgive me, for what I'm about to say- Actually, nevermind, you should see him for yourself, my sister's son… "
The sadness in her voice was something he could not ignore.
"Hinata, what are you implying-"
"Mamma!" Shinji ran into the room, hugging her side.
"Sorry, I have to go."
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Hinata knew Sasuke had found out the truth because an angry pulse was felt throughout the village.
Her sister had tried her best to be mad at her, but couldn't because Shikamaru had called to let them know Hinata had gone into labor.
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'He offered me marriage. I laughed and turned it down. I told him that Renji is not to leave my clan.' Hanabi said, while they were both sitting inside the tearoom.
Sasuke agreed to something like that? Hinata wasn't sure of what to say, as her newborn baby kept a grip on her finger while flailing lazily, on his back, while laying on a futon, making cooing sounds.
"Why didn't you accept his proposal?"
'I'm still trying to find true love.'
Their gaze both turned to Shun, Hinata's newborn.
"But are you going to be okay if he ends up marrying someone else, and making another family for himself?" Hinata asked.
'I'm happy, as long as he loves Renji.'
Hinata hummed, not really understanding her sister's feelings, as she knew she would want Shikamaru's love all to herself.
Hanabi collected Renji from the garden, and said her goodbyes to her sister and her nephews.
After her departure, Shikamaru came in to check on his wife, asking their nana to take Shinji away for a moment. Shinji glanced back at his parents, while frowning, as he was led away. He mostly blamed his brother just then. Why did Shun get to stay?
"How's your sister?" Shikamaru asked her as she picked up their son and laid down on the futon, with Shun on her stomach.
"She's actually relieved that Uchiha-san is willing to forgive her, and also get to know Renji."
"How did Uchiha-san find out?" Shikamaru asked.
A soft baby hand slapped Hinata on her cheek, making a bunch of sounds as if trying to talk to her. Both of them laughed, the question left unanswered and forgotten. As Shikamaru caressed Shun's brown hair, Hinata glanced back at the lazy lavender eyes staring back at her. She kissed Shun's cheek, before passing him to Shikamaru so she may start dinner.
As she cooked, she wondered if Sasuke might become part of the family, regardless of what Hanabi had said.
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Shinji had just finished collecting his long brown hair into a messy bun, and adjusting his shinobi headband, getting ready to go train. He doesn't remember the last time he ever took a break from training. Perhaps that had been a few years ago when training was canceled because his aunt Hanabi had a small wedding ritual with uncle Sasuke.
He called out to his family, letting them know he was leaving. Shinji activated his Byakugan, watching Shun lazily salute him with two fingers, while his Byakugan was also active.
"Mom, dad, Onii-san just left." Shun announced as he played Shogi against his father.
Shinji pushed past the gates where Renji was waiting. His older cousin was leaning against a tree, legs crossed, arms crossed, before pushing himself off, while adjusting his dark vest. He fixed a strand of dark hair, guiding it back to his part side.
Shinji shook his head, how did his cousin do that? Even while training, not a single hair was ever out of place, it was always that way ever since they were toddlers. Renji always carried himself with dignity, poise, and grace. He was more of a Hyuga than he was. Why wasn't he chosen as the heir?
Renji's smiles were always charming, and almost every distant cousin had a crush on him. Although he seemed like a snob outwardly, his cousin was surprisingly kind.
"Shinji, hurry up. My father is waiting."
Shinji paused, eyes widened in excitement. Training was always more intense and interesting with Sasuke around.
"Why do I always have to meet you at the gates like you're some kind of stranger?" Shinji asked.
"Aunt loves my mother very much. But for some reason, I don't think your mother likes me very much." Renji replied.
"But she always asks about you." Shinji countered.
Renji paused and turned around, with a serious expression. "You know how our family is with their pleasantries."
Shinji changed the subject. "My mom is throwing me a small birthday party this year. I told her I don't want it. I'm turning 9 years old, isn't that too old to be having such childish parties?"
His cousin hummed an answer. "Then what do you want instead?"
"For some reason, I crave mochi every year."
Renji threw his head back and laughed. He then paused, with his hands inside his pocket and sent him a smirk.
"Why anyone deems you a genius is beyond me. You act and sound just like a kid."
"And this kid is going to rule one day, just like mother once did." Shinji said with a wide grin, as he spread his arms wide open, and spun on one leg, his long brown hair coming loose, swaying behind him.
He tossed Renji a look, hoping to bait him to compete for his place in leadership.
"Hn, sounds good to me."
Shinji sighed, as all he craved was competition.
His thoughts then went back to his birthday. He was happy that every year their family seemed to be getting closer.
"Renji, can you ask uncle if he could make it to my birthday?"
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Hinata lifted her leg, walking over Shun's body who lay sprawled on the floor, lazily reading, while facing the garden. He lifted his gaze and watched his mother pick Shinji's favorite fruits from the garden, likely for the traditional mochi she makes for his big brother every year. He yawned, and rubbed his eyes, going back to the story.
The heroine of this picture book looked just like his mother. When he flipped the book to the next page, his brow furrowed. The Hokage, Renji's father, his aunt Hanabi, and Ino were depicted throughout the stories. Too many familiar faces to be a coincidence. Shun shut the book, reading the name of the book.
"Shun, is something wrong?" Hinata asked, coming to him while putting down a bowl of harvested fruits. She walked next to him and knelt down.
"Mother, this character looks just like you." Shun handed her the book for her to inspect, observing her reaction. An intelligent gaze met hers. Hinata maintained her neutral poker face as she felt being observed. It still didn't stop her from gripping the book upon recognizing the art style. She looked for the name of the author but couldn't find it. She flipped through the book, recognizing familiar settings and events that had taken place in her life, until she came to the last few pages. A festival, a bonfire, and lastly, a wedding.
"Shun, where did you get this book?"
He looked away, feigning disinterest.
"A young lady who said she used to be your Anbu gave it to me. She said it's Shinji's birthday present. I got curious because there's no author written on the front. Also, Onii-san is too old to be reading picture books."
"Well, I will keep this book. And do not take anything else from strangers even if they claim to have any ties to me. What if you had been kidnapped?!"
"Alrightttt." Shun said, flipping on his back, placing a hand over his eyes. "Mother, I'm going to take a nap."
Shun activated his Byakugan, when she was out of sight. Something about that book was just too suspicious to not wonder about its origin…
Hinata abandoned her task, going to the kitchen to sit down. It's been almost a decade, and she hadn't heard from Sai. She clasped her hand in a form of prayer, her fringes moving forward as she closed her eyes, hoping he hadn't returned just to cause trouble.
No. This was just probably Sai's way to say hello, she convinced herself, and perhaps not to forget about the past.
"Mom?" Shun asked, one hand resting on the door frame as he looked inside. "Your heart is beating fast."
Hinata sat up, straightening her shoulder, smiling his way. Shun's lavender eyes trailed to the side.
"I won't tell anyone."
"Shun?"
"I've always wondered about our history, and about our family, especially how you came to be with our father. I had already gathered bits and pieces, by talking to all the maids that have ever worked for you. But after reading that book, I don't really care." Shun tucked his hand inside his pocket and let out a lazy sigh as it was all a drag. He took a few steps forward, hugging her. "Mother, I love you no matter what."
"I love you too, and mamma would do anything to protect this peace. But I don't want to raise you to become a liar. If your big brother starts asking questions, please just direct him to me, alright? I don't want you to have to lie."
"Okay."
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Although all the birthday decorations had been arranged inside the house, the kids had disappeared to the Nara forest to play their own version of capture the flag. A pair of twins with blond hair and blue eyes glided through the forest with carefree smiles, as one of them carried Shun on their back, because with him on their side they've been winning so far. Shun lazily pointed somewhere, as he spoke a battle plan.
"How are we losing to my younger cousin!? Shinji, what's the plan!? Do something about your little brother!" Renji yelled at Shinji, ignoring the curvy girl who had begged to be on their team, but so far all she's done is eat chips. Renji's perfectly combed hair was finally out of place, as he had sticks and leaves in his hair. He took a deep breath, he needed to get it together. What would his father think?
"I told you there was someone smarter than me. I wasn't making it up! My little brother is a formidable opponent as long as he's not running around, spending his energy." Shinji replied, while reaching for his hair to tighten in place.
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Both Hinata and Hanabi deactivated their Byakugan while giggling. All of them were sitting outside, on a picnic blanket with a glass of wine in their hands, reminiscing about the past. Naruto's shadow clone lay on Sakura's lap while she played with his hair. Ino and Choji had entertained their own conversations before the group reached for a toast.
"So who's winning?" Sakura asked as Shikamaru had returned with more wine.
"Your twins and my lazy son," Hinata said while laughing.
Sakura punched the air. "YEAH!"
"Hmm, it seems our oldest son and nephew underestimated their opponents due to the three year gap." Shikamaru noted from his side.
Shikamaru went back to laying on his side, right by Hinata, while Hanabi was sitting right next to them.
The door rang, and Hinata looked around at her guests. Everyone she had verbally invited were already there. She rose from her spot to go meet the guest at the door.
A tall figure, clad mostly in black, waited by the entrance, as he had been led inside by a maid. Hinata stood frozen in the middle of the hall, her heart beating fast. She knew one day she was bound to see him again, but it was supposed to be on her terms, who invited him?
"Sasuke…"
"Hn. Your son invited me, he said he didn't want any gifts because he had mochi."
Hinata giggled.
"Yes, he's always been that way. Um, where are my manners, would you like to come inside?" She motioned with her hand.
Back inside the Nara forest, Renji and Shinji turned to look at each other. Their Byakugan managed to pick up that Sasuke was there. They abandoned the game, rushing inside the house, barely able to take off their shoes, but eventually managing to do so before they threw it to the side, like it was a race. Shikamaru and Hanabi looked at one another, both rising to follow to see what the commotion was all about.
"Uncle!" Hinata's son had been yelling down the hall while Renji had been calling for his father as they dashed past Hinata. Shikamaru and Hanabi paused right next to her, and watched as Shinji and Renji hugged Sasuke, almost knocking him back.
"Son, that's no way to greet your uncle, if you just saw him the other day." Shikamaru said as he approached Sasuke. He reached out and extended his arm, shaking his hand.
"Shinji, Renji, go get the kids, we're going to cut the cake outside." Hinata said, with a smile, trying to send them away while she gets everything ready.
Hanabi motioned Sasuke to follow her with a smile, as Shikamaru also turned around to lead them all to the courtyard.
Sasuke paused in front of Hinata and glanced down at her.
"I never got to thank you, for that day, and that phone call. Who knows how many years I would've missed if you hadn't told me to look for him."
"I was only doing what I thought was right." Hinata said, her eyes avoiding his before settling on his wedding ring.
"Renji was the best thing that ever happened to me." He said.
"Yes, I know that feeling very well." Hinata agreed.
Sasuke walked around her, and glanced back, surprised she had reached out to his sleeve.
"Sasuke, welcome to the family."
He pulled his sleeve away from her, knowing her home was filled with small Byakugan users that were likely to activate it at any time. Still, he reached out and tapped her forehead before walking away to join everyone outside.
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The End!
N/A: I will be editing this chapter soon, before I move on to the alternative ending.