Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

A/N: Woot! Woot!!! Chapter ELEVEN is UP!!! I am so happy! and I don't know about you all but I'm excited with the way the plot is turning out. I'm starting to wonder how many more chapters there are going to be….

Anyway, sorry it took a few days to update. It would have been sooner but I got hooked on a different anime, and it took a little while to get back into the Naruto storyline.

Naruto was still allowed to do everything he would usually do, except now someone always had to watch his back. It was for the better he supposed, but it did get quite annoying at times. Better to be annoyed than dead, the Kyuubi advised him.

Yeah, I know, Naruto replied, rolling his eyes as Kakashi fished a little orange book out of his pocket.

A week passed without much luck. Then another week passed, with no leads on the guy who had tried to kill his baby. Sasuke hadn't come to see him in a while. Naruto was beginning to worry. Don't fret over the Uchiha boy, the fox demon growled. He won't go down easily. He'll fight for what's his.

Naruto hadn't seen Sasuke since the day they had fallen asleep together at Tsunade's place. When Naruto had woken that day, Sasuke had already been an hour gone. That was alright with Naruto though - he figured it was just Uchiha pride kicking in. It would have been an awkward morning had they woken together.

Things in Konoha had changed quite a bit since the attempted murder on his baby's life. People regarded Naruto with more respect than they ever had before. It was probably just because they saw a little defenseless Ayako-chan there, instead of the reckless Kyuubi boy. In any case, Naruto was glad for the support. There were still those in the village who looked down on him, though, such as a few of the elders and the like, but they were far outnumbered by those willing to protect him, so Naruto didn't worry much about it.

A month passed since the day he had been pushed, and still, there was no sign of Sasuke. Naruto, as promised, was still kept under constant guard - most of the time Kakashi was his guardian. The Kyuubi boy had to admit, even when Kakashi seemed to be sleeping or paying no attention whatsoever to the job at hand, he kept close watch. Iruka was much the same. Even when he sat next to Naruto and they laughed and shared small talk - it was a bit of a surprise that Iruka could act such a way even when Naruto was in his girlish form; the man acted as if it were truly Naruto sitting there and not some pregnant little girl - but even as they chatted, Naruto had a feeling that Iruka was always aware of what was going on around them.

Guy was a more interesting - and in a way, a most relieving - guardian. Often the man would burst in at random times and make a speech, with Rock Lee never too far behind. During these times, Naruto was glad for the chance to talk to Lee - he hardly got the chance to otherwise, since bushy-brows was always off somewhere with his sensei. Of course, then there was also Tsunade, who only watched over Naruto occasionally and for short periods of time - she had quite an important job to do; after all, she was the Hokage, as Naruto seemed to be constantly reminded of lately.

Hiashi, unlike the others who watched over Naruto, was more serious than anything. He always sat cross-legged outside in the hallway near Naruto's apartment door, for Naruto had been staying in his own apartment ever since the incident with the attempted murder. All in all, it probably wasn't very wise for him to be staying so near the scene of the crime, but Naruto felt more comfortable in his own home, surrounded by the things most familiar to him. On the subject of Hiashi, the man was always so grim and quiet. He hardly ever even opened his eyes. Despite that fact, Naruto was somehow sure that this man was more on the alert than any of the others had ever been.

Surprisingly, Hinata had come with Hiashi on his first day on watch. The petite little girl seemed so exhausted, and her face and clothes were dirty, but she smiled when she saw him. "Good morning, Naruto-kun," she said tenderly. He was sure that's what that sound was in her voice; a mixture of tenderness and understanding. Naruto was surprised she hadn't stumbled over his name, as many others had. Like Sakura, Ino, and TenTen, she had been very close to "Ayako-chan," and had spent many days with him laughing and talking with him while he was in female form. Now that she stood here before him, knowing full well who he really was, she seemed… calm, and at peace. She had never been like that around Naruto-kun before.

"Good morning Hinata-chan," he replied with a smile of his own. Then he added another good morning to Hiashi, who returned his greeting with a silent bow. "Why don't we all go inside and have some tea?" Naruto suggested.

"I can't stay long," Hinata said, even as she and her father followed him into the apartment. "I have to go back with the others soon. We're all working really hard to find the person who did this, Naruto-kun."

"So I've heard," he replied, shutting the door behind them and shuffling to the kitchen for the tea. "Please, make yourselves comfortable," he called to them. Hiashi seated himself on the couch in the living room, but Hinata - as Naruto was surprised to see when he turned around - stood in the kitchen doorway watching him. "What?" he asked of her.

She smiled widely. It was a sweet thing to see on her honest little face. "I think you're starting to show," she commented, gesturing to his belly.

"Well I should be," he replied, grinning despite himself. "I'm almost four months along now you know."

Hinata laughed a light, twinkling laugh. It was nice to hear a sound so clear so early in the day. As it usually was since he had become a fulltime woman, being with the Hyuga girl was… relaxing. She suddenly walked up to him and gave his stomach a poke. "And how is the mother-to-be feeling these days?" After a short moment of thought, she added laughingly, "Or should I say father-to-be?"

Naruto couldn't help but laugh along with her. "Honestly I'm feeling fine," he answered. He turned his back then to finish fixing the tea.

Hinata's smile remained, but something of her joy seemed to slip momentarily. "Are you really doing, okay?" she asked, a hint of concern in her voice.

"I'm fine. Really."

"You're lying." He turned back to her, slightly confused. What was she getting at? "You're worried about Sasuke-kun." Naruto lowered his eyes and bowed his head slightly. It was true. And how could he not worry after almost a whole month of not seeing him? He missed Sasuke. He wanted so badly to see him. He wanted to know how he was doing, to see that he was alright.

"Maybe… a little," he admitted

"You shouldn't stress yourself, you know," Hinata continued. "Stress isn't good for the baby. Besides," she walked over to him and placed a hand lightly on his arm, "Sasuke-kun should be returning any day now."

Naruto sighed heavily. "I'll just have to take your word for it. Thank you Hinata."

She smiled happily at him.

After tea and idle chatter - Hiashi didn't include himself in their little conversations - Hinata announced that she should get back to work, and bid them both farewell. Not long afterward, Hiashi exited the apartment and sat outside the doorway. He hadn't even said a word to Naruto; the Kyuubi container was half worried that the man was just leaving.

An hour of silence and boredom in the apartment, and Naruto found his way out into the hallway with the man. "Would you like some more to drink?" he asked. It was so strange; Naruto's other guardians had been so talkative and happy - even Tsunade had been less grave than this man. Naruto wondered if maybe he could coaz Hiashi into conversation.

Hiashi didn't open either one of his eyes. "That might be nice," he replied.

Naruto nodded and brought him a cup. Sitting himself across the hallway from the man, Naruto sipped at his own tea. "So… how come you decided to take this job?" he asked curiously.

Hiashi finally opened his eyes. He made a short gesture with his head. "That man must be stopped." Naruto half turned to see what he had gestured to. The burn mark of the symbol of the one who had pushed him was still etched into the wall. The villigers had been unable to remove it. Of course, Naruto had seen it plenty of times before that moment, since it was there every time he stepped outside his apartment door, but that didn't make the anger he felt for that certain person ever go away. Glancing down the stairway, Naruto remembered clearly what it had been like to tumble down each and every one of them, and he raised his nose in disgust, quickly turning his head away.

"They tried to murder my baby," he said to no one in particular, placing a protective arm around his midsection.

Hiashi nodded in understanding. "I know the feeling," he said, though there were no emotions in his voice. Neither were there any in his eyes. "There have been plenty of assassination attempts on my daughters' lives." He sounded like he was speaking of something as simple as the weather.

Naruto thought for a moment. But… this was different. His baby wasn't even born yet. How could he protect something when he himself was still so pathetic? "That's not the same thing," he protested aloud.

"Isn't it?"

Naruto thought a moment longer. "Well… okay. Maybe it's not that different. But still… I- I can't protect my baby. Not in the state I'm in. You could protect both Hinata and Hanabi. I… can't do that yet." He looked sadly down at the floor. He wished he could do something about this. He wanted to protect his child. His and Sasuke's child.

"That's what we are here for. To protect it in your place."

"Yes I know. But still… I'm a ninja! I want to be able to protect myself and my baby on my own."

Hiashi nodded again, in understanding. "Sometimes it's best to let those who love you protect you instead."

That caught Naruto off guard. For a moment he sat blinking at the man, who had his eyes shut again and was sipping his tea. Finally, Naruto gave a little smile. "Yeah. I guess I understand," he said.

All was silent for a while. Fifteen minutes or so passed before either of them spoke again, but it was a comfortable silence, somehow. Naruto couldn't imagine ever sharing a moment like this with Kakashi or Guy. However, Naruto being Naruto, the quiet eventually did became a little too much, and he felt compelled to speak. "Tsunade said something about you having another reason for… for protecting me like this. Something about me beating Neji in the Chunin exams."

Hiashi opened his eyes -again- and stared for a moment. Finally he answered - and he answered carefully, biting off each word as if it were something important that Naruto had to understand, or perhaps as if he was afraid to say too much. "Your battle with Neji was quite… impressive. I must admit, it had a definite an impact on me, watching you up there from the crowd. For defeating a Hyuga, and such a powerful and committed Hyuga as Neji, I have found a deep respect for you, and feel that I must show it. I must repay you for what you've done, and lend you a helping hand when I have the chance."

"But you don't have anything to repay me for!" Naruto exclaimed suddenly, interrupting Hiashi's quiet speech. "I beat the holy hell out of one of your family members; if anything, I should be the one repaying you!"

Hiashi chuckled. "It's amusing when you curse like that while in such a girlish form." Naruto couldn't help but blush slightly. "About what you said… I'm afraid you would not understand, even had I the patience to explain it to you."

Naruto grunted slightly in agreement. "You're probably right. Tsunade said it was one of those clan-things."

The man nodded wisely. "She was right."

"…Anyway, thank you for doing this. Whatever the reason, I'm grateful."

Hiashi half-bowed while sitting, and handed Naruto the empty cup when the Kyuubi container stood and gestured for it. "Were you surprised?" the man asked just as Naruto was about to enter the apartment.

"About what?"

"That so many people were willing to help and protect you and your baby."

Naruto smiled slightly. "Actually… yes."

Hiashi was silent for a moment, and just when Naruto thought he wasn't going to say anything more, the man spoke again. "Not everyone in Konoha sees you as just the Kyuubi container."

Naruto grinned. His suspicions had just been confirmed. Playfully he said, "Ah Hiashi… if I didn't know any better I'd think you just had a soft spot for girls."

A tiny smile danced on Hiashi's lips. "I do have two daughters of my own," he replied.

Naruto laughed lightly as he shut the door behind him.

Around noon the next day, Naruto received another surprise. Kakashi, Iruka, Tsunade, Sakura, Ino, and an astonishingly clean Sasuke all came for a visit. Hiashi, who was surprisingly still on watch - and who had not yet once fallen asleep even though he had had his eyes closed half the time - allowed them all in. Naruto beamed at each of his friends. He had not had so many visitors in quite a while. Oh sure, people still came by to see him all the time - and he was allowed to go out into town as long as he had a guardian watching over him - still, he had not seen nearly as many people in his apartment since… well, never, actually. After all, who would want to come visit the Kyuubi boy in his cramped apartment?

And if their visit wasn't a surprise enough, what they asked for was even more so. Kakashi came into the room with his usual bright smile, and politely declined when Naruto offered them all something to drink. "We won't be staying long, Naruto - we don't want to crowd your apartment. Oh look at that cute little belly jutting out! Are you gaining weight?"

Naruto sighed and couldn't resist a sweat drop. Kakashi just loved to pick on him, didn't he? "What do you want Kakashi-sensei?" he asked, slightly annoyed now. He had spent too many days with the man recently.

Instead of answering, Kakashi frowned and feigned being emotionally hurt. "That's not a very nice way to say hello to your friends, Naruto."

"Enough playing games Kakashi," Tsunade sighed.

Iruka smiled and greeted Naruto warmly. "It's good to see you're doing well, Naruto. And your belly is starting to stick out a little isn't it?"

Next was Ino and Sakura's turn. They squealed and giggled and absolutely went crazy rubbing and poking at his tiny bump of a belly. "Oooohh!" Sakura squealed. "I think I felt it kick!"

Naruto just smiled at the two excited girls and said, "Yeah, she does that."

" 'She?' " Ino quoted in delight. "How do you know it'll be a girl?"

Naruto shrugged. "I don't know. But I think it will be."

Sakura squealed loudly again. "Ooooohhhh your baby is going to be so cute Ayako-chan!" she exclaimed, slipping into her old habit of calling him "Ayako-chan."

After a few more minutes of poking and prodding and girlish squeals from Sakura and Ino, finally Naruto was allowed to turn to the solitary Uchiha, who standing aside from the crowd; Naruto was very much aware that all eyes were on the two of them now. "Hi, Sasuke," he greeted in a quiet tone with a small, uncertain smile.

"Hi," Sasuke greeted back, lowering his head a little and letting his hair fall into his face.

"If I didn't know any better," Ino whispered audibly to Sakura, "I'd say that's a blush on Sasuke's face." Sakura giggled so girlishly that it made one of Naruto's eyes twitch in annoyance.

"Uchiha's don't blush!" Sasuke retorted while everybody else laughed. It was good to have Sasuke around again, and Naruto told him as much. The blush on Sasuke's cheeks became much more noticeable at that.

"I'm glad you're not hurt or anything," Naruto continued.

"Eh. I'm fine."

"Did you just get back? You don't look like you've been on a mission or anything."

Sasuke smirked. "No. I've been in Konoha a day. I cleaned myself up."

"You should have seen him yesterday," Kakashi commented to Naruto. "He was a wreck."

"Whatever," the Uchiha said to no one in particular and with a shrug.

"So what are you all doing here?" Naruto was finally able to ask of them.

Nobody answered at first. After a short moment of silence - most of the people in the room were smirking at one another or smiling at him in such a way that made Naruto suspicious - Tsunade asked, "Do you want to tell him Sasuke?"

"Sure," the Uchiha replied indifferently. To Naruto he said, "We were wondering if you wanted to come stay with me… in the mansion."

For a moment, Naruto was speechless. Stay with Sasuke? In the mansion? Live with Sasuke? Survive through this pregnancy with Sasuke at his side? Naruto couldn't have asked for anything more - but before he could speak, Tsunade continued, "If you accept the offer, you won't have to deal with any of your annoying guardians anymore. Sasuke can watch over you from now on, and all the rest of us can focus on finding the culprit of this sticky little situation, which, overall, makes everybody happy. What do you say Naruto?"

Everyone watched him in anticipation. Tears filled Naruto's eyes, though he tried to hold them back. To stay with Sasuke… to be with Sasuke… to have Sasuke as his protector… what could possibly be better than that? "Of course I will," he replied with a smile. He was looking at the floor when he said it, quickly blinking away the tears.

"Good," Tsunade said with an approving nod. "Now that that's settled, go pack your things Naruto. Sasuke, and probably a few of the others, will walk you over to the Uchiha mansion. As for me, I have to get back to the office. Being Hokage isn't all it's cracked up to be, you know."

Naruto laughed, but quickly hurried to do as she said. Once he had as many clothes fitted into one bag as he could get, along with a scattered assortment of personal belongings, Naruto joined Sasuke, who was the only one left waiting in the living room. The Uchiha relieved Naruto of his burden, shrugging it off as if it weren't a big deal, and took the extra effort to make sure Naruto didn't trip down the stairs outside the apartment. Outside the building waiting for them were Sakura and Ino. Kakashi and Iruka both had as much to do as Tsunade had, and they had left, saying to the two girls to tell Naruto and Sasuke goodbye for them.

On the way to the mansion, people stared at Naruto. They usually wouldn't have, but today, Sasuke Uchiha was with him. The villagers of Konoha already had their suspicions about who the baby's father was, but never had their suspicions been confirmed as true. Rumor had spread like a wildfire in dry grass. The one thought on everybody's mind lately was, Is Sasuke Uchiha the father? Nobody had asked Naruto or Sasuke personally, nobody had said a word, but the whole town was practically buzzing with anticipation.

And wasn't it strange that Naruto had slept with another guy? After all, that's what he would have done in order to get pregnant, and by now everybody knew that he was pregnant. Not only that, but they all also knew who he truly was, - Naruto, not Ayako - and of course, Naruto was obviously male.

…Well, except for right now of course.

So when the town's people saw Naruto walking side-by-side with Sasuke Uchiha - though with Ino and Sakura not too far behind - they all stopped to stare. Sasuke glared and Naruto blushed. The rumors would fly even faster now. The Uchiha standing next to him seemed to read his mind. Slowly and deliberately, with his free hand, Sasuke reached out for one of Naruto's, and the Kyuubi boy looked up at him with disbelief and hope in his eyes. Sasuke smirked and leaned over to whisper in his ear, "They're going to talk anyway. We might as well give them reason to."

Naruto laughed - but was ashamed to say that it came out as a giggle that even Sasuke winced at - and heard two startled gasps from behind. Both Sakura and Ino began to squeal excitedly again, but Naruto refused to let go of Sasuke's hand. Even had Sasuke tried to take it back or pull away, Naruto would not have let him. People would just have to stare - now that he had Sasuke he was never letting him go.