The third chapter is here! This is where some of the sad bits come. But, I'm not gonna spoil you guys any more! Read on! R&R!
I thank Sorrel-Piedra for the baby names she contributed for this story. Thanks so much!
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.
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In three months time… One spring morning…"Dear Neji and Tenten,
We heard that your babies are expected within the month.
We just wanted to congratulate you this early.
We're so happy for you! Ask us about anything!
From,
Ino and Shikamaru Nara"
"To Our Dearest Neji and Tenten Hyuga,
Someone told us that you'd be expecting your kids this month.
You have our blessing! Believe it!
Sincerely Yours,
Hokage Naruto-Sama and Lady Hinata Uzumaki"
"For my teammates,
Hope you like the spring flowers.
My babysitting services are available for you guys once the youths are born.
Lots of Support,
Rock Lee"
"Neji and Tenten,
Heard about the babies being expected soon.
How nice.
Sakura and I will be helping in any way.
By the way, our son's turning two next week.
Consider dropping by for the party Wednesday next week, if you can.
Regards,
Sasuke, Sakura and Sachiko
(A/C: Sachiko means 'happiness child' or 'he who brought happiness' since Sasuke got so happy when he was born. See Chapter 1)
Tenten smiled as she leafed through the many cards her friends sent to them. She looked at the many bouquets of spring flowers that stood on her desk in the Leaf Hospital. The room was invaded by the flowers' fragrances.
"Here's another bouquet of flowers, Tenten," Neji grunted as he made his way into the hospital room, carrying a ceramic vase of blooms, "It's spring anyway so I'm not surprised that they're sending over spring blooms."
Tenten giggled as she watched him struggle to bring the flowers to the other bouquets, "This one's from Gai-sensei. There's no card but it was he himself who came over and gave this."
Smiling, Tenten gazed at the numerous flowers before her. They were all her favorites, obviously. She loved how beautiful and magnificent the flowers looked as they sun's rays reflected on the dewdrops. It's as if they were made of pink and yellow crystals.
She went on reading the book she had: 'A List of 1001 Baby Names'. Neji huffed then asked, "Have you already decided on the names?"
Shaking her head, Tenten flipped a page but then, she said, "But I may already have one for our baby girl.
Neji then crossed his arms across his chest then waited for her to tell him.
"Well, I'm not so sure about it," Tenten explained, "But… What do you think of… Akina?"
Arching a brow, Neji repeated, "A-Akina?"
Tenten nodded, putting down the book, "Yeah, Akina. It means 'spring flower'. You know how much I love spring flowers and besides, she'll be a spring flower herself since she'll be born within this month. You get me?"
Understanding, Neji nodded then said, "Fine, fine. Akina's an okay name, I guess."
Tenten snickered then handed the book to her husband saying, "I picked the girl's name. Why don't you pick your son's name, then?"
"Why not?" Neji said with a smirk. He sat himself on a chair and began his search.
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"I dunno…" Neji mumbled, placing the book on the table beside him.
He's been searching for quite some time and he didn't seem to find a nice name for his son.
Tenten sighed and went on sipping the tea Sakura offered her to ease some of the abdominal pain she was having, "Well, why not?" she asked him.
"You based our daughter's name on something," Neji stated, "I guess I'll name him once I see him. By then, I'd have the perfect name that will describe him and all."
Shrugging at Neji's indecision, she muttered, "Whatever you say, Neji Honey…"
With that, Neji stood from his seat then asked, "Do you mind if I leave you for a while, Tenten? I just need to get something to eat. I haven't had anything since this morning."
He bent down to Tenten and left a kiss on her forehead. "Oh, okay." Tenten whispered. He left the room and walked down the hall.
His cellphone's vibration in his pocket felt uncomfortable as it rang. Picking it up, Neji greeted the caller with a passive voice, "Hello?"
"Hey, Neji!" Kiba greeted at the other end, "Congrats on the babies! I know they're not yet born but they will be soon, right? Yahoo!"
Neji flinched at Kiba's booming voice. "Hey, thanks." Neji mumbled back.
"Akamaru has a litter of puppies with one of the dogs in the household. You want a few for your kids?" Kiba asked.
Neji replied, "Nah. I don't want them to get rabies."
"Whatever, Neji." Kiba chuckled, "Well, I got to go. Good luck with Tenten."
Neji didn't answer and just hung up.
At that, he got into the escalator and went three floors down.
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Ring! Ring!'What? Who's calling now?' Neji thought, glancing at his cellphone once again.
He's been having lunch downstairs for quite some time and since then Tenten didn't bother to send him a text message.
"Neji? It's Sakura," the voice at the other end said, "Where are you? I got Tenten rushed into the delivery room. She's laboring. I couldn't find you around so I had to do it on my own."
Neji didn't even let her finish. He stood from where he was and ran, his phone on his ear.
"How is she?" Neji, panicking, shifted through the hospital entrance, trying hard to reach Tenten before anything else.
"You wouldn't want to hear how she is," Sakura muttered. In the background, Tenten was moaning loudly. Neji bit his lip then demanded, "Put your phone on her ear! I want to talk to her!"
Rushing, Sakura placed the phone on Tenten's ear then her mumble tickled Neji's ear, "Neji, I'll be okay. Just… get here as soon as you can, please…"
He wanted to make sure that she'd be alright. He wanted to run faster and hold her hand, assuring her that she'd be fine. She'll be okay…
"I'm on my way…" was all that Neji could say before hanging up and briskly proceeding to the said room.
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The blood-curdling screams of pain chilled Neji's blood. He sat numb in the waiting room. He wished he could get up, get into the room and be with Tenten.
But, the previous moment forced him to leave…
"Neji!" Sakura shrieked, "Get out of the delivery room! Now!"Without hesitation, Neji shook his head and snapped, "I have to be with Tenten! I won't interfere, I promise!"
Sakura shook her head then snit her lips, "No way am I going to let you watch Tenten give birth!" she exclaimed.
He opened his mouth to answer but nothing came out. At that, he exited the room and then called back, "Tenten, you'll be fine… promise?"
Tenten nodded, "Promise, Neji Honey."
More of Tenten's shouts reached the outside to the waiting room. Neji felt helpless that he couldn't ease her pain. It was too much for him to bear.
Every shriek and every shout of pain that shot from her mouth made him sweat even more.
She's been doing so for quite some time now… he couldn't tell how long but one thing's for sure: it felt like an eternity.
His friends arrived one by one to support him and all.
When Lee arrived with Gai-sensei, he was standing outside the delivery room's door, near to breaking down. Gai lectured him on how youthful he and Tenten are as Lee pat his back, saying that everything will turn out well.
Shikamaru and Ino bothered to come soon after. They brought even more spring blooms with them, hoping it made him feel more confident of this. Ino just smiled and told him that he shouldn't worry while Shika said that it's worthwhile.
Before he knew it, Hokage Naruto and Lady Hinata were with him, seated in the waiting room. Naruto gave him a few cups of ramen to 'ease the anxiety and all' but he couldn't even eat a bite. Hinata handed him some healing medicine for Tenten so she'd recover from the after-effects.
Choji came over for a quick visit. He brought more barbecued pork then immediately left since he still had a mission.
Sasuke along with Sachiko went over to check on how things were doing. Sasuke entered the room but got shoved out by one of Sakura's assistants. He was chuckling with embarrassment, saying that they were cutting Tenten up. Neji almost strangled him.
Kakashi, Kurenai and Asuma were there, too, oddly. Ditching the cigarettes for now, Asuma looked like the fresh air was going to choke him. Kakashi discussed with Neji the hardships that were worst than this after the babied were born. It didn't make Neji feel any better.
In a couple of hours' time, Neji was alone in the waiting room. The shrieking and screaming was gone. Some of the medical corps were already cheering but he heard Sakura silence them and soon, they were busy again.
A pink headed kunoichi poked her head out of the door and muttered slightly glad and slightly disappointed, "Uh… Neji… Congratulations."
Neji hurriedly went to her, seeing her carry two bundles in her arms, one wrapped in pink and one wrapped in blue.
He first looked at his daughter. She was the first one born, according to Sakura. She had rosy and chubby cheeks and a twisted lock of brown hair from above her forehead. She was sound asleep, as if indifferent towards the world around her.
Then, he turned to his son. His little boy had a toothless smile on. Strange that he did. He was a newborn infant. His head was smooth to the touch. Neji reached to touch him but when he did, the infant…
The infant took hold of his finger. The baby wrapped its tiny fingers around his forefinger.
And with that, Neji did something he rarely ever did: smile.
One simple smile carved onto Neji's face. It seemed magical at that.
"Kaemon…" Neji whispered, "I'll call you Kaemon which means 'joyful'. You look like a cheery little child. And… you made me happy."
Sakura nodded and motioned for Neji to hold his own children. Neji grabbed them gently and began cradling them in his arms. He swore he felt tears swell in his eyes as he watched as twins snuggly cuddled his arms.
"So… what about Tenten?" Neji then asked.
A dismayed look spread onto Sakura's features, "Oh… about that…"
Neji's eyes then grew as he repeated in a stern voice, "What happened to her? What is it? Did something bad happen?"
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CLIFF-HANGER!! HAHA! EVIL! Keep yourself posted and maybe you'll find out real soon.