Here's another!

THE GIFT.

Neji moved through the trees with at a pace that caused his teammates to threaten to bind him and carry him the rest of the way to their beloved village. He did not care if their own lack of training made them tired. The mission completed, Neji could only think of a shower, a great meal, and his beautiful wife in his arms. Those three images pushed him harder and faster to Konoha.

"Hyuuga, slow it down. You're married to her, it's not like she's going anywhere." Nara Shikamaru commented.

"Nara, just because you've lost that loving feeling for your wife, doesn't mean the rest of us have." Neji replied.

"Hell, if I had to go home to loud ass Ino I'd move at a snail's pace too." Inuzuka Kiba commented, ducking as a kunai whizzed above his head. "Plus it's Valentine's Day, no woman should be alone on this day. At least that's what Sakura told me before we left for our mission."

Neji had to agree with Kiba about Ino. He hated dealing with Ino on a daily basis. He couldn't imagine living with her. Of course Kiba was just as loud, and Neji had some how manage to never kill him.

"The whole fuckin holiday is troublesome." Shikamaru commented.

"What scared you'll have to sit through another two hour set of Ino singing every love song that reminds her of you again?" Kiba laughed.

"Yeah, I am." Shikamaru replied. "She made me wear a damn suit for that."

The ninjas entered the village borders, being escorted by an ANBU team. When the gates of Konoha were in sight the ANBU team began to branched off.

"Hey Nara, I saw your wife picking up your suit from the cleaners today." Said the ANBU in the mask that resembled a fox. "Have a great Valentines." He added before an explosion of laughter was heard from the behind his mask. This also earned another round of laughter from Kiba and the ANBU whose mask was that of a beetle.

"Troublesome assholes."

Shikamaru offered to take the mission report to the hokage's office. Neji could only guess it was to prolong the performance Ino had prepared for him. Neji made his way to the Hyuuga compound. The home he shared with TenTen was small but tasteful. The pair had discussed about having a larger one built, but Neji was in no hurry. He enjoyed the feeling of intimacy their house fostered.

He entered the home to find a note stating TenTen was at the hospital for him to meet her there. She and Sakura were close friends and often spent time together when Kiba and Neji were away on missions, so it wasn't a surprise. Both shinobi were happy to know their wives had each other for support. Neji decided to shower first then head over to retrieve his wife.

He assumed she had some romantic plans of her own for the evening. A roll of red wrapping paper and tape were left on the kitchen table, along with a bag from Neji's favorite bookstore. Valentine's Day wasn't a big deal to him, but he like to see the excitement in TenTen's face as he opened his gifts. That joy and happiness he would never deny her. For that reason he resisted the urge to peek at the bag's contents. Naruto first began the transformation of Neji's heart, and now years later TenTen completed it. He smiled at the thought of having her in his arms was becoming more of a reality. Twenty seven days in the woods with two other men and a large dog was not his idea of a good time.

Walking into the hospital he saw Kiba sitting on a bench, obviously waiting for his pink haired wife. Neji took a seat beside him.

"NEJI!" Sakura was running as best she could down the hall. "I need you its TenTen, hurry!"

Neji's jumped from his seat and followed the kunoichi down the hall.

"What took you so long to get here. I was about to send Kiba after you!" Sakura said out of breath from the dash down the hall. "We had to admit TenTen."

His heart jumped at the thought of her in the hospital. His hand placed on Sakura's elbow to steady her wobbling steps. "Are you well enough to treat her Sakura? Is she in pain?"

Sakura was the best medic in the village, and for his TenTen he only wanted the best. The current condition of Sakura's breathing and flushed face made him concerned she would not be able to treat TenTen with the care she needed.

"I'm fine, it's second nature basically. As far as pain, it's as much as could be expected." Sakura was breathing heavy. "She said she would fight it until you arrived. Strong and brave as always. Come on right through here."

Neji found a sense of pride in Sakura's words. His wife was strong and brave. He knew that she would hold off the pain or bare it at least until he arrived. Neji entered the room to see TenTen on the hospital bed. Her face twisted in pain and breathing was irregular.

"TenTen I'm here." Neji went to her side taking her hand in his.

Pain searing through her body, she could only nod. Her mouth formed the words, 'I love you' as her head fell back on the pillow.

Sakura began her work. TenTen drifted in and out of consciousness. Neji was bundle of nerves. His normally stoic face racked with emotion. His hand never let go of hers. He stroked her hair and whispered words of encouragement to her. He kissed her forehead, and proclaimed his true and honest love for her. He knew life would never be the same, if she didn't remain strong.

"Tenten, I love you. Please stay strong."

"You have my heart in your hands right now, please you can do this."

"You are the strongest woman I know. The most beautiful, it's almost over."

Finally a scream was heard from the room, and silence fell. It was over. TenTen's suffering was over. Neji kissed his wife. Sakura walked toward the couple, handing Tenten the fruit of her labor. Sakura leaned in to whisper in TenTen's ear. She left the room, taking the nurses with her.

Outside the room, the dog nin stopped pacing as his wife exited. He walked over to her, eyes questioning the outcome.

"They are fine." She answered, smiling. Kiba wrapped his arms around his wife, rubbing her swollen stomach. He felt a kick from inside.

"Soon it will be our turn." His face beaming with pride. Sakura's knees buckled, as she felt a gush of water run down her leg.

"I think our time has come." Sakura squeezed his arm.

Kiba wide eyed with panic, yelled for a medic.

TenTen looked at her husband. "Neji, I love you. Happy Valentine's Day. I didn't have time to finish wrapping your gift."

Neji leaned down to take his heir in his arms, and slowly started to weep. A son. The blue cap on the boy's head made Neji's heart swell with pride.

"Only a fool would ask for anything more than what you have given me. I love you." He leaned over to embrace his wife. His new family was the perfect gift.

awh, neji's a daddy. wonder what a 'birds and the bees' talk would be like with him as your dad.