A/N: Sorry for the delay! Sadly updates will be slow. Thanks for being patient! Here is chapter 18!
Hinata had comeback from her latest mission, it was late evening; the sun was setting. She neared the compound and noticed that the gate was open.
'Sasuke?' She thought to herself excitedly, it had only been two weeks since he left. Perhaps he had come home early. Her steps fastened, she turned the corner and went into the property.
"Temari-san?" Hinata stopped in her tracks. Temari stood in her courtyard; she was speaking to a guard. Her face was solemn; Hinata had never seen her friend look so pained. Temari turned and saw Hinata, her eyes began to well with tears.
"Hinata…" Temari walked towards Hinata. Hinata took a step back, her eyes wide; she was scared at what Temari was going to say.
"No…" Hinata said before Temari said anything. Hinata shook her head. "No…" Hinata continued to step back.
"Hinata, listen to me…" Temari said walking towards Hinata. Temari's voice was shaking; the closer she got to Hinata the more noticeable her blood shot eyes were.
"Hinata, please just…" Temari continued to take baby steps towards her friend. Hinata's heart dropped, tears began falling as she watched Temari. Temari's mouth moved, she was speaking but Hinata's mind went blank, the words going in one ear and out the other.
Hinata found herself dashing away from the compound and to the hospital. Temari ran after her.
Hinata ran through the village, tears streaming down her face, heart beating out of her chest. Her body trembled vigorously, her thoughts erratic. She ran into the hospital, her mouth agape. She breathlessly ran; her feet guided her to where she needed to go. She felt a tug at her arm, she didn't look back; she whipped her arm away from the hold. She screamed a loud in pain-sobbing- tasting her endless tears. Kakashi held her back, making sure not to hurt her in the process. She forced her body forward, Neji held her back along with Kakashi. Hinata cried out loud sadly.
"Hinata!" Temari yelled, Hinata barely heard. Hinata instinctively activated her byakugan, forcing Kakashi and Neji to move away from her. She felt her body freeze as she ran forward. Shikamaru used his shadow binding technique, her byakugan deactivated. Kiba appeared in front of her, holding her tightly in a hug. She cried into his leather jacket covered shoulder. Shikamaru let her go from his shadow technique. Hinata hit kiba's chest angrily as she sobbed. Kiba held her tighter, taking all of her punches. His face solemn, he had never seen her cry so hard before.
"Hinata…" He said her name softly. She cried harder, the strength in her punches wore off. Her body fell limp, Kiba held her up. Hinata continued to sob.
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Hinata punched the mattress around her and immediately sat up. Her breath was loud and heavy, her body hot and damp with sweat. Tears were welling in her eyes. She looked around her room, her byakugan was activated. It was dawn; a dim light was beaming through her window. Her eyes fluttered in confusion.
'A dream?' She looked down at her lap.
She caught her breath and stroked her hair back. She was in bed alone, Sasuke had been gone for two weeks and he still had another two weeks to go before returning.
'Why…why would I dream such a horrible thing? It felt so, real.'
Hinata scanned the room again-this time more thoroughly- something didn't feel right. She wasn't usually one to get nightmares.
'ANBU?'
The Uchiha compound was surrounded by multiple ANBU members. 'Why?' She wiped away the sweat on her brow and got out of bed. She grabbed a long bath yukata out of the bathroom and slipped it on as she made her way out of the bedroom. Her footsteps were heavy, she was upset; what were they doing surveilling her?
"Hinata-sama…" The maid said as she entered the home with groceries. Hinata walked out of the open sliding door and onto the engawa, ignoring the maid.
"Come out." She said sternly. Silence. "I know you're there." She said again determined to get answers. Hinata took a deep breath in, calming herself down. "Please, come out." She said kindly.
She flinched when she noticed blur at the corner of her eye. She turned and saw an ANBU member standing in her courtyard.
"Uchiha-sama."
"What is your business here?" Hinata said sternly.
"I'm afraid it's confidential Hinata-sama."
"I would like to know your business here, please explain."Hinata said softly.
"Direct orders from the Hokage Uchiha-sama."
Hinata annoyingly walked inside. She walked to her bedroom and changed, she was about to go get some answers.
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A loud knock came at Naruto's office door. The Hokage was asleep in a pile of papers on his desk; drool was washing out the ink in the first layer of the paper work.
A calmer knock sounded again.
"Eh?" Naruto jolted upward, he rubbed away the sleep from his eyes. "Come in." He said hoarsely. He wiped away the drool at his mouth while he watched the door open.
"Oh…Hinata…" He said sleepily. She strutted her way to his desk.
"I have some questions." She said soft but stern.
"Eh…What is it Hinata?" Naruto rubbed his face with his palm.
"Why are there ANBU surveilling my home?" Her question woke up the Hokage.
"What are you talking about?" He said, playing dumb.
"I know you ordered them there. Why?" She said again in a serious tone.
"Hinata…"
"Did something happen to Sasuke?" She cut him off.
"Hinata…I…"
"What exactly is his mission?" She said again impatiently.
Naruto had never seen her so impatient, she was truly growing a strong personality. "Hinata. Listen would you?"
Hinata stood up straight and looked at the Hokage with her glazed eyes.
"Nothing happened to Sasuke. His mission is that of confidentiality; you know I can't tell you." Naruto said sternly. "ANBU are surveilling your home at my request."
"Why?" She said curiously.
"Hinata, Sasuke isn't here. I know you're strong and capable. But I can't stand idly by knowing something could happen again." Naruto's stare turned serious.
"But, why would anything happen? It's all done with." She said matching the intensity of Naruto's eyes with her own.
"Hinata please, don't worry. It's just a precaution; on my behalf." Naruto leaned back in his chair.
Hinata stood there taking in his words. "Fine." She said after a moment of thinking. Perhaps, he was just being a good friend to Sasuke and watching over her. "Thank you." She said reluctantly. Naruto watched as she turned her back and left his office, the door shut gently behind her.
Naruto looked down at his desk. He sighed when he saw the drool covered papers. "Today is going to be a long day." He said under his breath while shuffling the papers together.
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Hinata walked down the corridor. She kept thinking of her nightmare. 'He's fine.' She reassured herself, though she really didn't even know.
"Hinata?" Sakura called her name. Hinata turned around to face the medical nin. "You're up quite early." Sakura said walking towards Hinata; she had folders in her hand.
"Oh, yes." Hinata said calmly.
"Is everything alright?" Sakura asked as she noticed Hinata's blood shot eyes.
"Yes." Hinata said shortly. "Well…" Hinata nodded and turned her body away.
"Wait." Sakura said quickly.
"Yes?" Hinata asked, not turning around to face Sakura.
"Would you…join me for some tea, in my office?" Sakura offered.
"No, I'm fine." Hinata took a step forward.
"Please, I just want to talk." Sakura said softly. Hinata stopped herself and turned around, taking a breath in.
"Sure." She said with a thin smile. Hinata followed Sakura to her office within the Hokage residence.
"Here." Sakura handed Hinata a small cup of tea.
"Thank you." Hinata sat across from Sakura. The pink haired kunoichi sat behind her desk and sipped her tea lightly. Hinata sipped her tea, placed in on the desk in front of her and cleared her throat. Sakura placed her cup on the desk and looked at Hinata kindly.
"I'm sorry, I invited you so suddenly. You must be very busy." Sakura said calmly.
"No, I'm not very busy at all." Hinata said politely.
"Hinata, I just want to let you know…" Sakura suddenly turned shy.
"Yes?" Hinata asked curiously.
"I'm happy for you…and Sasuke." Hinata could sense a strain in Sakura's voice.
"T-Thank you." Hinata nervously grabbed her tea and looked into the liquid.
"I…I'm glad he's happy." Sakura continued, looking at her tea. "I want you…and me to reconnect…as well." Sakura said softly.
"W-What do you mean?" Hinata said quietly. She asked even though knew exactly what Sakura meant.
"I know you and I…our friendship, it's been strained…since…" Sakura found the words hard to say.
"Sakura-chan…" Hinata said placing her cup back onto the desk. "Are you…really happy for us?" she asked boldly.
Sakura was taken a back at Hinata's statement. She could tell Hinata could sense her awkwardness.
"I am." She said sternly.
"I don't want you to force yourself Sakura-chan…" Hinata said looking down at her lap. "I know, it must be hard…watching Sasuke and me…" The words sounded harsh, but Hinata knew she had to get it out.
Sakura's hands turned into fists under her desk. Hinata's kind voice while saying that irritated her, because Hinata was right. It was hard to watch him with her.
"Hinata…I'm happy for you two, really." Sakura said looking up at Hinata. "I've…been seeing Naruto." Sakura said quickly.
Hinata felt a shock move through her system, she wasn't sure if Sakura's declaration of her seeing Naruto was to prove to Hinata that she had moved on from Sasuke or if she was rubbing it in Hinatas face.
"T-That's great." Hinata said softly. She wasn't jealous, Hinata was happy for Naruto, to get what he'd always longed for, to be finally happy and with someone he loved. Hinata was genuinely happy for him. A part of her wondered, Sakura; was she settling for the Hokage. That thought hurt Hinata; she didn't want Naruto to be heartbroken in the end, because she knows how it feels.
"Are you?" Sakura said calmly.
A spark ignited within Hinata. Sakura said it so coldly, as if she was rubbing it in Hinata's face. A 'You took mine now I took yours' kind of deal.
"I am." Hinata said sincerely. "He loves you." Hinata said kindly. She meant every word she said, even though the ignited frustrated woman in her didn't want to lose the mental battle.
"Thank you." Sakura said with a thin smile.
"I should get going." Hinata stood up. "Thank you for the tea Sakura-chan." She spoke soft and kind. Sakura nodded. Hinata made her way out of the office. Hinata heard the door click shut as she walked down the empty corridor. Hinata walked past the Hokages office and made her way to the first floor of the residence. Her head began to pound. 'A head ache this early in the morning?' She nodded her head when she saw Genma and Raido walking towards her. Raido nodded politely in her direction.
"Morning." Genma said kindly.
"Good morning." She nodded her head politely again. Genma and Raido stepped pass her. Hinata felt herself getting lightheaded. Her vision began to blur, she turned to the two jonin who were walking away from her.
"Genma-san…Raido-san…"She spoke softly but the two Jonin heard her. The two men turned around.
"Oh…" Raido and Genma ran to her as she began to fall on her side. Raido caught her over his shoulder.
"We need to get her some medical attention." Genma said seriously.
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'Genma-san…Raido-san…' Hinata opened her eyes slightly, her eyelids felt heavy. She looked up and saw a drop tile ceiling. The air was filled with a familiar medicinal scent. 'Am I…hospital?' She opened her eyes wider. Sitting up quickly, a sharp tug came at her arm; she was hooked up to an IV drip. The door clicked open.
"Oh, you're awake." Hinata looked up at Shizune. Unlike Sasuke, whose doctor was Sakura, Shizune was ordered by Tsunade-before her death-to take care of Hinata's medical needs. Now, Shizune was a much needed medical nin, she hadn't been in Konoha recently. She was ordered to train new medical nin's in the sand village and had only come back days before today. While she was away she left Sakura in charge of all cases in Konoha.
"Shizune-san." Hinata said softly.
"Surprised to see me?" Shizune walked over to Hinatas bedside.
"Oh…yes…" Hinata said shyly.
"Well, let's see…" Shizune flipped through Hinata's files. "Hmm…So, you fainted…"
"Yes…" Hinata could only assume so.
"Anything bothering you lately?" Shizune asked.
"Uhmm…I've been getting a lot of headaches…" Hinata said looking down at her lap.
"I see you suffered quite a bit from exhaustion recently." Shizune continued to read Hinata's files. "You shouldn't push yourself." She advised.
"I understand…" Hinata said softly.
"Well, it's strange that your stamina has depleted so quickly…" Shizune closed the folder in her hand. "We'll need to take some tests." Shizune said kindly.
"Tests?" Hinata said frantically.
"Yes, you were due for some examination anyways." Shizune walked to the end of the bed.
"Oh…I see…" Hinata said nervously. She never did like taking examination tests; actually she tried to avoid them constantly.
"So, breathing test, urine test, blood test, vision test, and physical examination." Shizune said as she wrote in Hinata's folder.
"A-All…of that?" Hinatas eyes widened.
"Yup, you really have been avoiding them huh?" Shizune said teasingly. Hinata looked down at her lap.
"I'll be back, we'll start with you breathing test first." Shizune walked to the door and left.
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It was late afternoon, Hinata walked to the hospital cafeteria after taking all of her tests. Her stomach grumbled loudly, she was starving. She bought herself some soup and steamed fish, they didn't have much of a selection to choose from. She quietly went to a seat and ate her first meal of the day. She felt her first bite fall to the empty pit of her stomach.
'We'll get the test results in a few days, possibly a week. I'll get a hold of you when their ready.' Shizune's words repeated in her mind as she ate.
"There you are." Hanabi called out to her sister.
"Hanabi?" Hinata said with a mouthful. She watched as her little sister took heavy steps towards her.
"Are you okay?" Hanabi questioned her sister while scanning her up and down.
Hinata swallowed. "I'm fine. What are you doing here?"
Hanabi took a seat across from Hinata. "I just got back from a mission, a couple of my friends saw you in the hospital, so I decided to come here and check on you." Hanabi said looking around the cafeteria.
Hinata scoffed and spooned some soup into her spoon. "He's not here." Hinata said softly before blowing her soup.
"Yeah, I kind of noticed." Hanabi said looking at her sister. "So really, what are you doing here?"
"I just had a physical today." Hinata said short and quick.
"Ah…I see." Hanabi pushed her long dark hair behind her ear. "You gonna share?" Hanabi eyed Hinata's food.
"Get your own, I'm starving." Hinata said calmly after swallowing her soup.
"Why getting off a diet or something?" Hanabi leaned back in her chair.
"No, didn't have breakfast." Hinata said concentrating on her soup.
"Well—" Hanabi stood up. "Since you're fine, I guess I'll leave." Hanabi said uncaring.
"Okay, be safe on your way home." Hinata said nonchalantly as she picked at her fish.
"Always." Hanabi said walking away and not looking back. Hinata finished her meal and left the hospital. She walked down the empty street and watched as the leaves danced in the breeze.
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Sasuke watched the trees sway in the breeze. "Stay alert." He said sternly to his ANBU squadron.
Sasuke led a squadron of ANBU on a mission to take out a large group of Orochimaru's followers. Most of which Sasuke knew from his past. The group of experiments was after Sasuke, all seeking vengeance for Orochimaru's death. All of them had bad relations with Sasuke, after all Sasuke was the reason why Orochimaru had stopped caring for the other experiments. Most of them despised Orochimaru after his death, until they realized they couldn't live 'normal' lives without him. Many of the experiments were suffering without the constant upkeep from Orochimaru. They had banded together in order to take out Sasuke, trying to rid of the Uchiha once and for all.
-Sasuke flash back-
"They're starting to move." Naruto explained.
"I thought we were done with them." Sasuke said calmly.
"More of them have regrouped. They've gather in the sound village."
"When do I start?"
" You're not taking part in the mission this time." Naruto said seriously.
"Why not?" Sasuke said annoyed.
"It's too much of a risk."
"You let me lead the squadron the last time why not this time?" Sasuke said hurriedly.
"Intel says these guys are much stronger." Naruto said looking at papers on his desk.
"I know them best." Sasuke angrily said.
"I know." Naruto shut his eyes and sighed.
"Let me lead the squadron, it will be done with quickly and thoroughly." Sasuke pleaded sternly.
-End flash back-
"Behind!" Kiba called out from behind his dog mask. Sasuke unsheathed his katana and striked.
"Damn it! I can barely sense them!" Kiba yelled out as he fought back three sickly looking men.
"Remember, many of them were made to be like that!" Shikamaru called out while fighting off a large and dirty looking man.
"Watch out, they can activate their seals." Sasuke said as he pulled his katana out of an experiment.
"So these are Orochimarus followers? His past experiments?" Neji said from behind a simple all white mask.
"Damn, these guys are a pain in the ass." Kiba growled.
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Hinata waited nervously in a room, sitting on an examination table. She was in the hospital; Shizune had called her back a week later for her test results. 'Surely, nothing is wrong with me…' Hinata sighed. The door clicked open and Shizune came in with a smile on her face.
"Okay." Shizune took a seat by a small desk and opened Hinata's folder.
"Is something wrong?" Hinata asked reluctantly.
"Hmm…" Shizune read through the results."Nope. You're perfectly fine."
Hinata took a sigh of relief.
"Let's see here…" Shizune looked over the results again. "Yup, you're both fine."
"Both fine?" Hinata asked curiously.
"Yes, you and the baby are fine; perfectly healthy actually." Shizune looked up from the documents. Hinata's face became paler.
"B-Baby?" Hinata stuttered.
"Hinata?" Shizune looked at the Hyuga. "Oh! Hinata!" Hinata's eyes rolled into the back of her head as she fainted from the news.
Hinata's eyes shot open. She looked up at the drop tile ceiling. "Baby!" She sat up and said aloud.
"You're up." Shizune was sitting in the same spot.
"Baby?" Hinata said again, flustered.
Shizune sighed. "I'm guessing you didn't know. You're pregnant." She said calmly.
"I am?" Hinata felt her stomach. "But…I'm…"
"Fine?" Shizune said. "How's your cycle?"
"Fine. Regular." Hinata said quickly.
"Well, that might not actually be your cycle." Shizune looked in Hinata's file again. "Yup. Pregnant. Five months."
"FIVE MONTHS?" Hinata yelled out loud. She looked at her seemingly flat stomach. "B-But…my stomach…"
"Each woman carries a child differently. But you are definitely pregnant." Shizune said with a smile.
Hinatas shoulders slumped forward with a sigh.
"Lay down Hinata." Shizune stood up. Hinata lay down on her back. Shizune's lifted Hinata's sweater and shirt upwards revealing her stomach. Hinata flinched at the sudden action. Shizune's hands glowed a green hue and hovered over Hinata's stomach. Hinata watched as Shizune's eyes closed, a smile grew on Shizune's face. She removed her hands and opened her eyes.
"Definitely Pregnant." She said happily. Hinata smiled in disbelief, she was pregnant.
"Congratualtions Hinata." Shizune said kindly. Hinata sat up and pulled down her shirt and sweater.
"Pregnant…" Hinata felt her stomach. The thought of it still didn't fully sink in.
"Well, I'm sure Sasuke would be very happy to hear about this." Shizune closed Hinata's folder.
"Sasuke…" Hinata was still out of it.
"You can leave when you're ready." Shizune said walking to the door. "Again, congratulations Hinata." The door clicked shut.
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Hinata was walking home from the hospital when she neared the Inuzuka home. Akamaru was running towards her at full speed, tongue out and tail wagging. He always loved tackling and nuzzling himself into her side when he saw her. He looked wet; half of him was covered in soapy suds.
"A-Akamaru….STOP!" she said loudly as the dog ran towards her. His paws dug into the dirt as he listened and stopped himself. Hinata's hand was on her stomach. The large white dog whined.
"Sorry…" She said with a smile. "But you have to start being more careful…okay?" Hinata patted him on his head.
"Akamaru!" A woman called him from behind. Hana was running towards him. "You can't just run away in the middle of a bath!" Hana said angrily running to him. Akamaru whined and went behind Hinata.
"Hello Hana-san." Hinata said kindly.
"Hinata; sorry about Akamaru." Hana eyed the dog behind Hinata.
"Oh, no…it's okay." Hinata smiled.
"He really likes you though doesn't he?" Hana said nicely.
"Oh…well yes, I suppose." Hinata said looking behind her at Akamaru.
"Well, Akamaru. Let's go." Hana said sternly. Akamaru whined and walked slowly towards Hana.
"Bye Hinata. Sorry for the trouble." Hana said with a smile.
"No, not at all. Goodbye." Hinata said watching the two leave. She sighed. 'You okay?' she said to herself looking at her stomach. She smiled to herself as she continued to walk home.
'I'm pregnant…Uchiha…names...have to start thinking of names…' she smiled endlessly at the thought of becoming a mother, nonetheless to an Uchiha.
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"Ration pills never tasted so good." Kiba said as he popped two into his mouth.
"Heh…Temari helped me make them this time. Hard to believe even she can make ration pills good." Shikamaru said taking off his mask. The ANBU squadron was resting for the night after their long battle earlier. Sasuke sat against a tree wiping his katana clean.
"Here." Neji handed Sasuke a small bag of ration pills. "Dinner."
Sasuke looked up at Neji's hand and took hold of the small bag. "Thanks."
Neji sat down beside Sasuke, he took out a water bottle from his pack and took a swig from the bottle.
"You think there will be more tomorrow?" Neji asked.
"Yeah. Much more." Sasuke said seriously.
Neji shifted a bit, as if he had something to say.
"What is it?" Sasuke asked sternly.
"You have to be more careful." Neji said seriously.
"What?" Sasuke said looking at the Hyuga.
"Hinata…I wouldn't be able to look at her if anything happened to you." Neji said calmly.
Sasuke scoffed and put down his Katana, he reached for the small bag of ration pills. "I'm not that careless you know."
Neji scoffed in return. "You leading this mission is careless. They're after you." Sasuke silently ate his ration pill.
Sasuke stood up after swallowing. "We leave at dawn." He said aloud.
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Hinata found herself happily patting her stomach when she woke up. The morning light was brightly shining into her room. She wondered how she was going to tell Sasuke. She grew curious of what his facial expression would be. She walked into the en suite to get ready for the day.
"Good morning Hinata-sama." The maid nodded politely.
"Good morning." Hinata said with a bright expression while walking out of the corridor.
"Breakfast is almost ready." The maid said wiping down the table.
"I'm in no hurry today." Hinata said walking to one of the guest rooms. She opened the door and turned on the light. It was slightly dusty; it hasn't been used for a long time. She walked in and opened the window, letting in the fresh morning air. The room was a good size, more than big enough to become a nursery. She found herself imagining where the crib would be and where the changing table would sit.
"Hinata-sama." A guard called from the door. Hinata walked out of the room and to the guard.
"What is it?" She asked kindly.
"A guest." The guard shifted. Hinata looked at the gate and saw Hiashi standing behind the gate.
"Let him in." Hinata said calmly. She walked inside.
"Please, prepare tea for two." Hinata called out to the maid before she made her way into the living area.
"Yes, Hinata-sama." The maid said walking back into the kitchen.
Hiashi stepped into the home. "Take a seat, father." Hinata spoke softly. Hiashi calmly walked over to the living area and took a seat. Hinata took a seat soon after. Hiashi took a look around the home.
"Where is Sasuke?" He said sternly.
"He's on a mission." She said proudly.
"Hn." Hiashi looked down at the coffee table.
The maid walked out with a tray of tea. She set it up on the table.
"Thank you." Hinata said with a smile. Hiashi picked up the cup of tea and took a small sip; he set his cup back onto the table.
"How have you been?" Hiashi looked at his daughter.
"Well." Hinata said looking at her cup on the table.
"Hanabi told me she saw you at the hospital." Hiashi said giving Hinata a blank stare.
"Yes, I was." Hinata hesitated. "I took an examination."
"Are you pregnant?" Hiashi said quickly.
Hinata stiffened. "No." Hinata lied; she didn't want to tell her father. She knew he'd spread the word like wild fire. She wanted Sasuke to know first.
"No?" Hiashi said irritated. "You've been married for quite some time."
"Father, please. I find it uncomfortable to speak about this." Hinata said sternly.
"Hinata." He said sternly.
"I am no longer a Hyuga, father." She said quickly cutting him off. "I will live my life at the pace I want to."
"Is that so?" Hiashi said angrily. He stood up quickly, ready to leave. "Then, . I will leave you." He said irritated. He noticed her personality had grown since marrying Sasuke. He wasn't sure he liked her acting so bold towards him, but nonetheless he was slightly proud of her growing a backbone.
Hinata sat in her seat. Her meetings with her father were always short. She was proud of herself for not telling him. She felt he didn't need to pry on her business anymore. Though the reasons of him letting her marry Sasuke was to give birth to a possible heir. She realized if they were to revive the Uchiha clan, and breed a new doujutsu they would run their clan the way they would want to. And Hinata did not want to incorporate any sort of status such as a branch family into their clan. The sliding door shut. Hinata let out a sigh of relief and took a sip of her hot tea.
"Hinata-sama. Breakfast is ready." The maid said softly.
"Thank you." Hinata stood up and walked to the dining area.
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