Chapter 2
Oh Baby!
Neji stood there in shock while Keinai looked at Tsunade blankly.
"Come again?" Keinai said.
"You're pregnant," Tsunade repeated.
"That's not possible," Keinai said, confused. "I'm on birth control."
"Some birth control pills only work about ninety-five percent of the time," Tsunade said. "So yes, it's very possible."
"The elders won't be very happy," Neji murmured, though his lips twitched as he fought a smile.
"Screw the elders," Keinai said, getting off the table and walking over to him. "Hinata annulled the feud between our clans, and Hinata wouldn't let the elders pressure her into keeping us away from each other because our baby was conceived outside of marriage." She wrapped her arms around Neji's neck and smiled, her eyes shining. "We're going to have a baby!"
Neji let the smile break through before he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her. He then buried his face in her hair. Tsunade smiled.
"Well kiddos," she said. "I hate to break up the party but I've got to get back to my office. I still have a Hyuuga elder waiting to talk to me."
"We'll come with you," Neji said, his smile turning into a smirk. "I think it's time I voiced my annoyance with them trying to control my life."
Tsunade smirked. "All right," she said, opening the door.
"We heard," Tenzou said, giving the couple a smile as they exited the room. "Congratulations."
"Yeah, congrats, Squirt," Anko said.
"Thanks," Keinai said, still smiling.
"I think we can keep it a secret from the Hyuuga elders, though," Neji said with a smirk. "For as long as we can anyway. I would just love to see them squirm in annoyance when they find out."
"Payback bites," Keinai said with a smirk.
"Precisely," Neji said.
"You two are evil," Anko said, smirking. "I like it."
"They controlled my life for too long," Neji grumbled as they began walking to the Hokage's office. "I'm going to enjoy rubbing it in their faces that they can no longer do that."
"Well, you two are free to go," Tsunade told Tenzou and Anko. "I'm sure you have things to do."
"Unfortunately I have things to clean up in the Forest of Death," Anko said. "And Tenzou has to fix up a couple of places in the Tower in the middle of the forest. We have a few floors that have gone rotten."
And with that, the two ANBU were gone.
"All right," Tsunade said as they reached the door. "Let's get this party started."
She opened the door and ushered Neji and Keinai in, who were holding hands. She walked over to her desk and sat down, while Neji and Keinai went to stand beside her. The Hyuuga elder raised an eyebrow.
"So," Tsunade said. "You were here about Neji, correct?"
"Yes," the elder said. "He has been of age for a few years now, and he still hasn't married. According to Hyuuga customs, the elders send for daughters of all big name clans from all villages to come to the Leaf so Neji may be able to meet with them and choose a suitable bride. I've come asking permission for those daughters to be permitted into the village."
Neji let go of Keinai's hand and crossed his arms, jutting his chin out defiantly.
"No," he said.
"Excuse me?" the elder asked.
"I said, 'no,'" Neji said. "In case you have forgotten, the elders are no longer in charge; Hinata-sama is. And I believe Hinata-sama also said that the Branch House members no longer exist, and therefore are unable to be controlled. Which means that I can take as long as I well please to marry, and I can take as long as I please to have children. I can date whomever I please, and I could stay single for the rest of my life if is so choose. I'm sick of the elders still trying to control my life after everything has pretty much been annulled."
Neji took Keinai's hand again, intertwining their fingers. "I have been in a relationship with Keinai for five years now, and I don't plan on leaving her any time soon. Hinata-sama has known about this relationship since it first began, which means there is nothing against this relationship. And I plan on marrying her. And there's nothing you can do about it."
Neji let out a breath and smiled. "Man, that felt good." He turned to Tsunade. "Now, if you'll excuse us, we have some planning to do. We're also meeting everyone at Hinata's for dinner."
"All right," Tsunade said. "I think I will join you tonight, because we need to talk about some things."
"I'll let Hinata-sama know," Neji said. Then he and Keinai left the office. They walked through the streets hand-in-hand.
"I can't believe we're having a baby," Keinai murmured, smiling softly. She was literally glowing with happiness.
"They sure won't we expecting this at dinner tonight," Neji chuckled. "What should we do while we're waiting? Dinner isn't for another couple of hours."
"Well," Keinai said thoughtfully. "We could either go help Hinata prepare dinner, or we could go home and take a nap. I like the sound of the latter; I'm exhausted, and I'd like to be wide awake for tonight."
"We'll take a nap, then," Neji murmured, turning down a side street and heading towards their house.
"Naruto's right," Keinai murmured after a while. "We've been together almost five years; and we've been living together for almost a year."
"Sometimes I still wonder how you could have loved someone like me," Neji murmured. "I know I used to be an arrogant jerk."
"I didn't see an arrogant jerk," Keinai murmured as they entered their house and took off their shoes. "I saw someone who I could relate to; someone who knew the same pain I did. Someone who knew what it was like to lose someone you loved. I also saw someone who had had his life changed by a certain hyperactive blonde ninja with a penance for orange clothing. We had so much in common, and all I wanted was a friend who understood my pain, and didn't want revenge for the lost loved one. That's why I came and talked to you after the Chunin Exams. My brother was pretty much a lost cause, and you were the only one I felt I could talk to about these things. And we sort of just fell in love."
"Yes," Neji said, smiling softly as they climbed into bed. "I remember. You were the only one who understood, and the only one who kept me grounded. Sure, training with Tenten kept me sane around Gai and Lee, but I couldn't tell her the things I could tell you. And she also couldn't understand how I felt about what was happening with my clan. You had to deal with similar things before your clan was assassinated."
"I guess we were just meant for each other," Keinai murmured, smiling.
"I don't guess," Neji murmured, kissing her forehead. "I know. Now, get some sleep. I'll set an alarm so we can get up in enough time to freshen up before we go."
"I love you," Keinai murmured as her eyes shut. Neji smiled softly.
"I love you too," he murmured, closing his own eyes. The two ninja fell asleep in the bliss of each other's company.
Neji jerked awake at the sound of the alarm clock. He fumbled around on the side table for a moment before he slammed his hand on the off button. He rubbed a hand over his face to help wake himself up and turned to look at Keinai. A small smile teased his lips as he peered at her still sleeping face. As he ran his eyes over her face, he thought about what they had talked about before they'd fallen asleep. She had definitely been his light in the abyss of his own darkness; the darkness he'd created and allowed himself to sink into. She had been there for him when no one else could be. She'd never left him to deal with his problems alone, even when they were just friends. They had their feuds, yes, but they always talked them out.
Yes, Neji decided, he really loved this woman, and he felt like the luckiest man on Earth. Not only was this woman giving him the privilege to marry her, but she was giving him a child. At this thought, one of Neji's hand subconsciously traveled down to rest on her still flat belly. Keinai's eyes fluttered open, and she smiled at him softly, placing one of her hands on top of his. He smiled at her and kissed her forehead.
"It's time to get ready to go to dinner," he said softly, taking the hand that had been on top of his and intertwining their fingers. "We wouldn't want to be late."
"I know," Keinai said, stretching before she kissed the back of Neji's hand. "I'm going to freshen up. I'll only be a few minutes."
Keinai pulled her hand from Neji's and climbed off the bed, walking into the closet to grab a fresh outfit. She then proceeded to enter the bathroom and shut the door behind her. Neji watched her go before he too got out of bed. He walked into the closet and changed into a fresh outfit, which consisted of a black long-sleeved turtleneck and loose fitting black pants. He then walked over to the vanity and picked up his hair brush, running it through is chocolate brown tresses to rid of any knots before binding it at the end like he usually did.
Keinai came out of the bathroom with her bluish black tresses pulled into a pony tail. She too wore a black long sleeved turtleneck, but she wore a pair of dark blue skinny jeans with it. She and Neji put on their shoes and locked up the house before heading to Hinata's house. Neji knocked on the door.
Moments later Hinata answered it, shouting behind her. "Uzumaki Senshi, what did I say about running in the house?"
"Not to," came the voice of a three-year-old.
"Uh huh," Hinata said. "Go sit in the corner until I tell you to get out."
"Yes, Momma," Senshi grumbled. Neji and Keinai saw a little boy with blonde spiky hair and silver eyes walk behind his mother and sit in the corner to which she'd pointed.
"Sorry," Hinata said. "He's just as hyper as his father. Come on in."
Keinai and Neji followed Hinata into the house.
"Well, the only ones who were able to make it tonight were Sasuke and Sakura," Hinata said as she disappeared into the kitchen.
"That's fine," Keinai said. "Tsunade said to tell you that she's joining us tonight."
"Okay," Hinata said. "What did she say, by the way?"
Neji and Keinai looked at each other. "We'll tell you once everyone gets here," Neji said.
"Okay," Hinata said, this time suspiciously. "Is it that important?"
"Kind of," Keinai said. Naruto came into the dining room.
"Hey," Naruto said. "I had a feeling you two would be the first to arrive. Te – Sasuke and Sakura are on their way. Did I here that Tsunade Obaa-chan will be joining us?"
"Yes," Keinai said as she sat at the table. Neji sat beside her and Naruto sat at the head of the table.
"You know she's going to get you for calling her that one of these days," Neji said.
"Yes, well," Naruto said with a foxy grin. "It's still fun."
Neji just shook his head. The three of them conversed about different things while waiting on the others to arrive. Hinata sometimes pitched in as she set the table. Sasuke and Sakura arrived not too long after Neji and Keinai did, and Tsunade arrived not long after. Soon they were all sitting around the dinner table.
"Senshi, come and eat," Hinata called to the boy still in the corner. The boy stood and teetered over to the table, where Hinata helped him into the chair next to his father.
"This looks good Hinata," Sakura complemented as she dished out some rice and beans. The others murmured in agreement and Hinata thanked them. Neji piled some food onto Keinai's plate and then his own. Keinai smiled in thanks. When the smell of the food hit her nose, however, she turned slightly green.
"Hey, are you all right?" Sasuke asked. Keinai nodded and closed her eyes until the nausea passed.
"What did Shishou say was wrong with you?" Sakura asked, glancing at her mentor.
Keinai and Neji shared a smile. "Nothing is wrong," Keinai said, putting emphasis on the word 'wrong'.
"What's going on then?" Sasuke asked.
"I'm pregnant," Keinai said, grinning.
Sakura and Hinata squealed.
"Congratulations!" Sakura said.
"That's great!" Hinata said.
"Wow," Sasuke said. "I'm going to be an uncle."
"Yes you are," Naruto said. "So that means you're going to have to baby proof your house; you may have to babysit sometimes."
"What are you going to do about the wedding then?" Sakura asked.
"I think it would be best wait until the baby's born," Keinai said, glancing at Neji. He nodded in agreement. "That way we have a good nine months to plan everything."
"Do the elders know?" Hinata asked.
"No," Neji said. "And we'd like to keep it that way until we can no longer hide it. They know we're in a relationship and plan on getting married though; the head elder was there when I asked Tsunade to look at Keinai. He wanted permission to bring in girls from clans outside the village into our village so that I could 'choose a possible bride'. So I gave him a piece of my mind and told them about our relationship and engagement."
"Good for you," Naruto said.
"Now," Tsunade said. "I said there were a few things we needed to discuss. You are about a month along, so morning sickness will probably be kicking in tenfold here pretty soon. It's normal, and only lasts until the third or fourth month. You will start to have cravings, which is also normal. And further along in the pregnancy you will have backaches and swollen feet; also normal. I want you to start taking supplements with every meal to keep the baby healthy. I want you to stay away from sushi and caffeine. Raw fish and caffeine are bad for the baby. Start eating healthier foods and drink lots of water. I suggest you start on the baby's room now, that way you are prepared when the time comes. I'll give you a list of things you can and cannot eat and things you will need to buy tomorrow. Get sufficient rest, and try not to strain yourself. I will be taking you off any dangerous missions, and keeping Neji away from as many as possible until the baby is old enough for you two to leave it with someone while you're gone. Am I understood?"
"Yes ma'am," Neji and Keinai said together.
"Momma," Senshi piped up. "What's pwegnant mean?"
"Pregnant," Hinata corrected. "It means Auntie Keinai is going to have a baby."
"You mean I'm getting a little cousin to play with?" Senshi asked. Hinata smiled.
"Yes, you'll be getting a little cousin to play with," she said.
The seven adults conversed about missions, wedding plans, and similar things all throughout dinner. After dinner they all watched a movie until it was time for Senshi to go to bed.
Hinata watched as her cousin and his fiancée headed for home, a small smile tugging at her lips. Things were finally looking up in Neji's life.