I'd been sent out on a short two day mission the day after the whole Hiashi fiasco. I was glad. Not only would I be able to miss the emotional thank you from Hinata and Naruto, but it would be a good thing for me to get out of Konoha for a short while.

Sakura and Ino, unfortunately, had come over to my apartment only a few minutes after I got there to find me sobbing my damn heart out for the hundredth time this week. So I had to blubber out the whole story to them while they rubbed my back soothingly or held me closely.

They'd also brought some good news with them. After I quieted down, Ino announced that she and Shikamaru had gone on their first date last night. Sakura had hounded her for telling her earlier, but Ino simply said that she'd wanted to save the announcement for the correct time. That had been the perfect time because I felt a little less awful after she said that.

When I asked her if she'd allowed Shikamaru to kiss her, she replied that she had allowed him to do a lot more than that, which sent us all into giggles.

Then, I threatened that she had better not gotten pregnant too or I'd never be free of the mood swings. She said she was sure she hadn't, and I didn't ask for details.

There were a few surprises- which were also reliefs- when I returned home. One was Hinata had already been settled into Naruto's apartment, and two was that the whole village knew about the pregnancy.

Some thought it adorable, and some were being all bitchy about the situation, starting nasty rumors or stating that she was too young. But Hinata and Naruto remained immune to the gossip. Those two were so in love for the next few months, that I swear they had sex with their eyes.

It was funny, however, when Kiba confronted Naruto and ordered him to take good care of Hinata or he'd castrate him. Naruto's response was that he would protect her with his life.

It surprised everyone witnessing the event because it wasn't natural to see Naruto acting so mature about something or not pick a fight with Kiba. Things were changing, and I was there to witness it all.

Hinata's stomach had grown larger, to the point where she was actually waddling around. I once spotted Hiashi eyeing Naruto as he rubbed Hinata's belly and whispered to it.

There was a soft smile on his lips as he gazed at his daughter fondly, and I nearly fell on my face when I saw it. It was an extremely rare thing for Hiashi, and I felt glad to have seen it.

He hadn't apologized for what he said to me, but I knew he was sorry. He displayed it in his weird Hiashi ways: being more polite to me than usual, striking up small conversation, and even chuckling at a comment I made.

Everyone seemed to be in a happy go lucky attitude. Sasuke even seemed to crack one of his killer smiles more often, probably because Sakura had threatened that if he didn't start acting more social she'd ban sex until he did. But I secretly think he did it for Sakura's sake, because he liked to see her happy.

And while the joy and merriment seemed to dance all around me, it never seemed to stick on me. It was like I was a not so sticky piece of tape. Every once in a while, that happiness would linger over my head and then evaporate that night.

I tried so desperately to be happy, but there was always something missing: Neji. I'd actually begun to count the days until his return. I even dreamed of throwing myself in his arms the moment I saw him and telling him the whole story.

At night while I thought, I could actually feel the silky strands of his hair in my fingers and the bone structure of his face. I could see the shape of his body and taste his kisses. Hear his voice in my ear and smell that woodsy scent on him.

And that's why the day of his return I didn't sleep. I was so ready to see him again, to hold him, that I was practically jumping around with anticipation.

Needing to calm myself, I decided to take a little stroll. I was nearing home once again when Hinata came scurrying up to me.

"Hey," I greeted with a radiant smile, which she didn't return.

Her huge stomach bumped my arm when she waddled by me.

"Neji's back," she whispered softly.

"Great!" I cried, feeling my heart rise. "I'm going to go-"

I began to walk away, more like run, when Hinata's hand shot out and caught my arm. Her eyes looked sad and pained, and my smile slowly began to evaporate at her next words.

"He's not alone."

A/N: (Gasp!) No way! Lol. Well, that was a short chapter, but the rest will probably be much longer. I'm not going to tell you who's (ha, I totally spelled that right) with him, so you'll just have to read the next chapter, which will probably be out tomorrow. But I might reconsider. Most of you probably have some idea who he's got tagging along, and no it's not a Naruto character. There, I basically gave you the biggest hint I could. Well, later!