Haruka Kanata: Far off distance

OV: Finally babies!! LOL And more, have you ever heard the old expression for one life lost one is gained? Sad!

AN: Well here we are again; I am back pecking away at this laptop…

I feel the need to explain one thing… Baby rings. They are tiny little rings that my sister and I have from when we were born. My parents got them when they bought their wedding bands. They are just simple little gold bands that are so tiny and adorable. I guess I wanted to put a little piece of myself in my story.

These bands will be a little different; they are chakra sensing bands, like Kakashi's paper.

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Time like everything else is fleeting. One moment we are talking with an old friend; the next we find ourselves alone at their grave holding a one-sided conversation. Everyone was used to Kakashi visiting the memorial stone; he was there so often Naruto had commissioned a memorial bench to be placed for visitors to while the time away.

This morning found Kakashi nervously standing in front of the stone. He was anxious, and was trying to find solace in his friends. "Rin, you knew I could be soft. You always waited for me to notice you, and yet you never noticed Obito who was there waiting. Now neither of you lives and I can only hope you found each other where you are.

Jiraya, I owe a lot of my happiness to you. Your books allowed me a cover. I could appear to be nonobservant and really be watching all that went on. I could act uninterested and not have to face my feelings. I could always hide behind them and they were a wall for me. Now that you are gone I won't have that luxury."

Kakashi laughed, "I still owe you one though. That last book was a real work of art. Ayame doesn't know what she is in for. I'm sorry; I haven't sent it for publishing just yet. I will soon, a bound copy will be easier to keep track of than the loose pages.

Yamato, I'm sorry I wasn't there for you. I failed to protect the team again, can you forgive me? You never got your wish. You never had a chance to live a normal life. I will live for you, I promised I would and I will.

Guys, I'm getting married today. I know you'll all be there, and I find comfort in that. I wish you could really be here."

He turned suddenly and walked away. He didn't want to cry, and he had almost pushed the limits on his wall of detachment. He ambled along to go get ready for the festivities that would ensue later. He was excited, and a little anxious. He had been forced to move out of his comfortable and well known small apartment and find lodgings large enough for a couple. Ayame had been irreplaceable in this venture. He had actually just deferred to her merely tagging along as a third wheel.

Today his life as he knew it was over. He couldn't be happier.

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Sakura sat up in bed. She was grumpy and her feet and lower back hurt. Why her feet hurt she had no idea, she had not been allowed to walk more than the three feet from her bed to the bathroom in almost a month! The door was thrown open and Naruto's insatiable cheerfulness brightened the room.

"Konichiwa!!" he called out jovially. She returned his happy greeting with a dark scowl.

She sighed and relented her sour mood. It wasn't Naruto's fault she was in this position. Well, actually in a way it was, but she had agreed. She offered a half hearted grin and accepted the breakfast tray he carried.

"So, Kakashi is getting married today." She stated between mouthfuls of strawberries and melons.

"Yosh! Isn't it weird? I still can't think of Kakashi being anything other than a perverted Sensei!" Naruto replied.

Sakura finished her meal, with a little help from Naruto who took a biscuit and helped himself to a few pieces of fruit. He gathered her tray and prepared to leave the room as Sai entered. He offered a simple greeting to Sakura's husband in passing.

As they were politely acknowledging the other man, neither noticed Sakura's face contort in pain for a brief moment. When Sai turned his attention to her the pain had passed and she decided not to mention it.

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The afternoon was beautiful, there was a soft breeze blowing in the garden where Kakashi was being married to Ayame. It was filled with fragrant flowers and meandering butterflies. The ceremony was short; the biggest event being not the bride, but the groom. He stood before the assembled guests without his mask. No one could ever recall seeing him this way, and it was a spectacle that was greeted with a lot of notice. Ayame seemed unaware of the glares she was getting from a few of the women present. They could hardly believe her luck in securing what had to single handedly be the handsomest guy Konoha had to offer.

Soon everyone conceded that they made a happy couple, and were deeply in love. Soon the guests moved inside to the pavilion that had been constructed for the reception. Naruto could swear Kakashi was the happiest anyone had ever seen him.

The reception carried into the evening. It probably would have lasted through much of the night, but an astute Kakashi pointed out that there were clouds on the horizon and they looked ominous. Soon everyone had retired to their own homes and settled in to discuss the event.

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Back at the Hokage's house Sakura was bathed in sweat. Tsunade had been summoned by Sai who had left his pale wife in Ino's care. She announced that there was no stopping the event this time, Sakura was going into labor.

Naruto and Sasuke were soon at her side. It had taken longer for them to be located than Tsunade. They had been discreetly separated from the reception and re-enacting scenes from their own wedding night. It was an accident that Sai actually found them.

Naruto stood in Sasuke's arms concerned for both his teammate and friend and for their children. Sakura had only a week before the babies were due and everyone knew they would be fine now, however an anxiety still hung in the air.

The storm that had been promising to come at the reception finally arrived. It was a mild event, more a spring shower than anything. It had passed before the first baby had made his arrival into the world.

"Push Sakura!!" Tsunade ordered. Hinata stood beside her ready to tend to the first child. Sakura gave another hard push and a small head covered in black hair emerged. Seconds later Tsunade cradled the tiny bundle who began to offer lusty cries. She checked him over and handed him to Hinata who took him to a small tub of water that was waiting.

Naruto stood behind Hinata watching everything she did. He could scarcely believe the tiny human she bathed could be his. The baby boy cried for a few minutes, but calmed down as soon as he was placed in Naruto's arms. He looked up at the golden haired man with huge blue eyes. Naruto was instantly enamored with his tiny son.

Sasuke stood behind Naruto with his arm around his shoulders and looked down proudly at the baby. The Uchiha name lives on.

Sakura had been granted a tiny reprieve that had lasted all of two minutes. Naruto had glanced in her direction when she had begun to breathe in that controlled way Tsunade had taught her. He had turned his attention back to his tiny bundle when Hinata had handed him over.

Sasuke walked over to Sakura and smiled at her. His rare expression did more to lessen her pain than any of the coping techniques she had practiced. That he was actually smiling at her. How many times had she dreamed of that happening in her life? She determined right then that this had all been worth it. She returned Sasuke's smile and barely noticed when her efforts expelled the second twin.

He looked exactly like his brother, as they were identical twins. Tsunade checked this baby over just like she had the first. She handed him over to Hinata who stood waiting with a clean towel. As soon as he was cleaned she handed him to Sasuke.

If anyone had planned to capture Sasuke completely dumbfounded and awed they would have considered it a total loss. Uchihas don't offer expressions like that. So Ino thanked her lucky stars she had been asked to photograph the births. She took several shots of the dark haired man's face as he gazed at his newborn son. She also snapped pictures of Naruto and his interaction, but the bulk of her film went on Sasuke.

Tsunade asked if they had chosen names. Naruto looked at her still holding his son, the first born. "He is Uchiha Ryuukin," He stated formally.

The Head Medic Nin smiled. Yes, golden dragon would fit a child of these two. She looked at Sasuke. He was wrapped up in a stare off with bright blue eyes and didn't notice he had been addressed. When he felt the weight of many other stares he broke contact with the baby, you would not have been wrong to say a flash of triumph crossed the tiny face in his arms when he did. "What?" he inquired.

Tsunade repeated her question and he replied, "Uchiha Shunsuke, he carries the will of Yamato."

Tsunade knew the story concerning the dying words of the man she had code named Yamato, so she smiled and nodded acceptance. Quick to help, that fitted the man perfectly. Knowing Naruto it would also be appropriate for his son.

The group disassembled, except for Hinata and Tsunade who needed to finish tending to Sakura. Naruto and Sasuke carried their precious sons through the house. They both wanted to parade them through the village and force everyone to acknowledge them, but they knew the brief storm earlier would not be a good environment for newborns.

After a while, they traded babies. Naruto looked into Shunsuke's face. He could see bright blue eyes, but there was no guarantee they would stay that way, almost all babies are born with blue eyes. He gazed upon the tan skin and thought it contrasted well with the dark hair. They had his skin tone, and maybe his eyes. Otherwise they were Sasuke. There was no denying who the fathers were.

Eventually Tsunade slipped out of Sakura's room. She looked tired yet pleased. "Sakura is sleeping. When she wakes you need to bring the babies to her. They will need to be fed often; knowing they come from Naruto I would bet they will need more frequent feedings than most," she said laughing.

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A week passed and the new family began to form a routine. Sai had moved into Sakura's room for the time being, and was a willing baby sitter for those midnight feedings. He understood Naruto needed his sleep, as Hokage he had many duties and being rested was important. Still often in the night Naruto would pop in to check on the whereabouts of one or both of his sons. He would comment that he had gone to the nursery and they hadn't been there. He knew where they were, but he wanted to play the concerned parent routine.

Their family had round the clock guarding again. The entire village seemed protective of the babies and realized enemies might try to kidnap them to discern if they had any Kyuubi powers, or the possibility of possessing the Sharingan that they would develop as they grew.

On a cool evening exactly a week from the night the boys were born, Ino went into labor. She screamed in pain, and had to be given mild relaxant herbal tea to calm down. She had been present at Sakura's birthing and knew what to expect, but she had not realized the degree of pain. Ino would concede that her rival, and friend, was definitely more stoic than she.

Sakura had borne the pain of delivery quietly. She had never cried out, but had utilized the techniques Tsunade and others had taught them easily. Ino had not missed the genuine smile Sasuke had offered, and hoped she would be in the receiving end of one herself. She had noticed how Sakura had visibly calmed afterwards, and was looking for anything that would distract her from the pain of childbirth.

Sasuke had actually left the room earlier. He could not stand Ino's screeching, and it had woken the twins. He had gone to offer comfort to his boys.

It hadn't taken him very long to rock both boys back to sleep. It was late, later than they had been born, and they were tired. Of course he couldn't take all the credit, Sakura had nursed both of them and full tummies makes for sleepy and content babies. She stayed to watch over the boys while Sasuke returned to a calmer birthing room.

Ino was finally to the pushing stage. She had thought how much relief would come when the baby was born, and had discovered bearing down as hard as she could helped a lot. Sasuke approached her and had a smile on his face. It wasn't the same awed smile he had offered Sakura, but it was a genuine smile of relief. Ino closed her eyes and knew she would carry that smile with her to her death.

Throughout the delivery another storm had blown in. This one was no gentle spring shower; it was a full blown thunderstorm. Rain lashed at the windows and lightening flashed through the sky. Occasional booms of thunder rolled through the village.

It was during the longest and loudest thunderclap that Ino finally delivered the baby. Tsunade again checked her over. Finding nothing wrong she handed her to Hinata who was again assisting. Both men crowded around the bath basin to await their little bundle. Naruto commented on the golden hair that was already long enough to reach the babies shoulders. Sasuke's breath held when she looked at him with her dark eyes, not blue dark onyx like his.

Hinata asked which man wanted to hold his daughter first. Naruto looked at Sasuke and smiled. "I got to hold Ryuu first, he can hold Nari."

Sasuke glowed when his precious daughter was gently placed in his waiting arms. "Hello Nariyaku! You are beautiful." Sasuke the possessive and proud father was born, as was daddy's little girl.

Naruto took several pictures of Sasuke and Nari before trading with his dark mate. Ino was now sleeping peacefully. Tsunade had advised her that it would be best for her to nurse the baby for a few days. Then when her milk came in she could quit and allow it to dry up as Sakura could take over as planned. She explained that there were antibodies and nutrients good for a newborns digestive system and body in the colostrum, or premilk.

Ino had grudgingly agreed, which had earned her another quick smile from Sasuke. She fell asleep grinning. Chouji had been waiting in the hall during the birth. Ino had ordered him out of the room. Once the baby began to cry he slipped in. Now he was sitting beside his sleeping wife, smiling lovingly at her.

Sasuke handed Nari to Naruto when Shunsuke awoke. Although he loved Ryuu he had a bond with the other twin. He was just like him; somber, quiet, alert, and intimidating. Ryuu on the other hand was like Naruto. Everything he did, even at this young age, was full tilt. He cried loudly, he burped loudly; he was active and wanted attention now, and often. Both men wondered what their daughter would be like. Being born in a thunderstorm, and named Nariyaku, which means peal of thunder in the evening sky, meant her personality could be tempestuous and stormy.

Sasuke summed up the possibility; one laid back son, one hyperactive yet loving son, and one potentially volatile daughter. He was sure to be one busy man.

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Tsunade flopped onto the couch. Ino had lost a good amount of blood. She was very thin and had given birth to a six pound nine ounce baby. While not exactly large, it had been difficult. Tsunade hadn't had the heart to tell Ino she would have to undergo surgery to deliver any babies her and Chouji might have. With his build she'd never birth his child.

She opened her eyes at a particularly loud peal of thunder. She thought about the tiny girl who shared this name. She lay down onto the pillow she had been given, not even bothering to fold the futon out but just lying on it as it was. A bright flash of lightening glowed on her closed eyelids. Even with the noise of the storm she was soon asleep.

The entire house was silent. All three babies were sleeping, Nari in Naruto's arms on a rocking chair in her nursery, where his head lolled back on the chair in his slumber. The boys were in a small cradle next to Sakura's bed; where she and Sai slept lightly waiting for the slightest whimper. It had been determined easier for that night just to put them in with her. Sasuke was asleep in his bed where he had fallen fitfully asleep without Naruto's calming presence. Chouji slept with his head resting on Ino's bed where he had knocked out by her side. She hadn't woken from the exhausted state she had reached after the birth.

The only ones awake were the pair of guards who were snugged in their shelter house that had been constructed after the previous weeks shower. They were on high alert as a message had arrived a day ago warning of a planned attempt on the Hokage family. Knowing the possibility of just such an attack the message had been taken seriously.

It was a good thing it had been as a few shadows detached from the gloom. If only it hadn't been underestimated.

Genma turned to look at Ebisu, who was wondering how he had drawn guard duty in the first place. He was still Konohamaru's team's instructor. They had set out to relieve the team who was already there, Hayate and Kotetsu. The sound of blades clashing could barely be heard over the rolling thunder and pelting rain. Genma and Ebisu raced to determine the cause.

They flew through the gates of the Hokage's compound and were met with the sight of over a dozen men in dark ninja uniforms fighting Hayate and Kotetsu. It appeared as if the pair of Konoha ninja were holding their own with half a dozen ninja attacking each.

Genma motioned to Ebisu to help Kotetsu, as he was going to aide Hayate. His plan was thwarted when the front door of the house was shattered into sawdust by the body of another ninja who was quickly followed by another and an obviously angry Tsunade who rushed out behind them. When she saw the guards standing there; two obviously engaged, two preparing to enter the battle, she quickly surmised the scene. She made short work of half a dozen of the enemy and the other four captured every last one of the remaining ninja.

Once they were secured Tsunade set to questioning them. They were so intent on the group bound together and sitting in a puddle on the soaked ground they didn't see Sai and Sasuke had approached. Sasuke ordered Sai to go inside and inform everyone of the situation. Chouji had stayed by Ino's weakened form, Naruto was protectively clutching his daughter, Sakura was guarding the twins like an angry bear. She nearly attacked Sai when he entered to let her know everything was under control.

Once things were under control answers were obtained. The enemy nin had refused to talk, so Sasuke had activated his Mangekyou Sharingan on them. Once he had them in his world he tortured them mercilessly, allowing his anger and unaccustomed fear to vent on their sorry lives. When he was finished he knew who their leader was, where he was, and their logic. He also left three of them dead by his torture.

Tsunade had asked what he had done, and he had replied, "A life for each of my children they threatened. I want everyone to be clear that my children are not targets."

Then he had strapped his sword on his back and began to leave. Without a word Juugo, whom no one even knew had arrived, followed. There was no need to reveal the destination, and no one tried to stop them. Sasuke was an avenger; and now he had a new thing to avenge, a location to go to, and his most trusted backup next to Naruto. He would return quickly, and hopefully any would be attackers would think twice before another attempt.

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Yay, babies are born!! Welcome party for Shunsuke, Ryuukin, and Nariyaku!! The future of Konoha.

-Kneise