Chapter 20 Singles and Doubles, Love and Hate
Two weeks later...
Naruto was happy. He was going to marry the woman he loved more than anything else. He couldn't help but to grin like an idiot as he continued to walk down the street, getting many waves and congratulations from the villagers. He still hadn't told everyone about who his parents were yet, but he knew it could wait. He continued down the street, and entered Ichiraku Ramen stand and was greated by a loud cheer and pats on his back from Sasuke, Shikamaru, Choji, Neji, Gaara, Shino, Kunkoro, Lee, Teuchi, and Ayame. All of them were smiling at him. Even Gaara who was finishing up a cookie (Sorry, Couldn't help myself). He grinned as he sat down, not even hugry. He had just wanted to sit in a familar place and enjoy the feelings that were courseing throught him.
"What can I get you, Naruto-kun?" Ayame asked, smiling at him.
"Just a bowel of Miso ramen. I'm not too hungry." He said smiling.
"One bowl coming up!" She said brightly.
Naruto was still beaming like a dork.
"Naruto! Congratulations on your engaement. May you and Hinata stay youthful and love each other for ever!" Said a smiling Lee. Outta now where, Gai poped his head into the stand as Lee gave Naruto a thumbs up, teeth shining. He teared up.
"Lee! I'm so pround of you!" Still tearing up.
"Gai-sensai! I will always make you proud!" Lee was like wise tearing up.
"Lee!"
"Gai-sensai!"
"Lee!"
"Gai-sensai!" Both men were crying as they hugged each other. Naruto and the others were extremely disturbed as they watched the pair run side by side down the street, still crying.
"Okay. That was creepy. Any way. Congrates, dobe." Sasuke said. Naruto smiled at him.
"Lets give three cheers for Naruto who has just taken the biggest step in his life!" Teuchi said, coming over with Naruto's ramen.
Everyone in the stand cheered so loudly that the passerby's scramed in terror and took off runnig down the street, thinking the village was under attack.
"Awe, damn. Come on Choji, Shino. We'd better set people right or there'll be a riot. How troublesome." Shikamaru, Shino, and Choji gave Naruto congratulations as they tore out of the ramen stand trying to calm down the villagers who were running in several directions.
"So, your tieing the knot. Who's the girl?" Kunkoro asked.
"Hinata Hyuuga." Naruto said cheerfully. Neji patted him on the back, grinning.
"Yes. I was surprised that Hiashi had allowed it. But, from what I hear, he only acted the way he did because of preasure from the council. He had them disbanded yesterday and had the branch family and the Main family become one. He even removed the curse marks." Neji said showing them his completely smooth forehead.
"That's great Neji! I'm happy for you! I guess I didn't need to do anything after all." Naruto said.
"Actually, you did. Hiashi saw how much Hinata and I had changed because of you and decided that he too needed to change. Not just him, but the whole clan as well. He told Hinata and Hanabi that if they didn't want to become the clan leader, that he didn't mind. You definatly helped, Naruto." Neji said, smiling at a surprised Naruto.
Before anyone could say anything, Jiriya and Kakashi enetered the ramen stand smiling. Naruto knew that this couldn't bode well.
"There he is! Naruto! We have to know, when is your bachular party?" Jirirya asked grinning.
"Bachular party?" He said, somewhat confused.
"You mean you don't know?!" Kakashi said, shocked. "It's the night before the wedding where you celebrate your last night as an unmarried man!"
"Why would I wanna celebrate that?" Naruto asked puzzled getting groans from both men.
"It's the last night that you can act on your impulses. A night to enjoy yourself with your friends and family." Gaara said, having finished his cookie.
"Yeah. Gaara's right. So when is it?" Kunkoro asked.
"Um...well. It would have to be next Thursday seeing as the wedding is on Friday." He said. He didn't notice the twinkle in both the perverts eyes.
"So, Naruto. Who's your best man?" Neji asked.
"That's easy. It's teme here." He said jabbing a finger at a surprised Sasuke.
"Well, that ruins my day. I'm the dobe's best man. Oh well, could be worse." Ssauke said smiling.
"How...little...brother?" A voice said suddenly. Looking behind them, Itachi Uchiha was slumped to the ground, bloody and hurt. Sasuke roared with anger and began to charge up a chidori as Naruto began to start up his Rasengan. But both stopped it shock as Jiriya and Kakashi rushed over to the man's side.
"Itachi, what happened?" Jiriya asked, checking his wounds.
"Inuzuka...found...me...out. He...told...them...that...I...was...a...spy." The Uchiha said. Jiriya was satisfied to see that the man would live. He turned to see the shocked faces of Sasuke and Naruto. Gaara had left with Kunkoro to find more cookies.
"I know this is strange, but you just have to trust me. Itachi is on our side. We need to get him to the hospital." With that, Kakashi lifted him up and carried him to the hospital.
Hinata was walking happily humming as she strolled through the village with Ino, Sakura, Tenten, Temari, and Hanabi. Both girls had been surprised at their father telling them that they didn't have to be the clan head, and could lead normal lives if they wanted. Both had jumped at the chances leaving him to smile sadly, saying that since nither wanted the job, that Neji was next in line. All the girls had been looking through town, discussing the wedding that had been planned down to the smallest detail. She smiled as she looked at her friends. As she did that, she suddenly felt dizzly and dropped to the ground, gasping for air as she felt extremely sick. Sure enough, she rolled onto her side in time to empty her stomach on the gound. Hunched on all fours, she shuddered violently as the girls gathered around her.
"You alright Hinata? You feeling well?" Ino asked as Hinata leaned back, sitting on her knees. She looked extrmely pale and was shaking slightly.
"I fine. Just a little sick." She said, feeling a little better. Sakura however, was looking at her with interest.
"Hinata? Has this happened before? As in recently?" She asked, still studying her friend. Hinata didn't even have to think about it.
"Hai. Every morning this week. I think I caught a bug." She said, as if it was nothing. The other girls began to grin as Sakura placed her hands over Hinata's stomach, concentrating her chakra. After a few minutes, she pulled her hands back, smiling wider.
"I think I know what's wrong. But lets get you to the hospital just to verify it." She said, helping her confused friend to her feet. Together they walked to the hospital.
The grils arrived at the Hospital ten minutes later. Hinata had stopped shivering by the time they got there and was confused as to why Sakura had to confirm what she thought was wrong.
"Sakura, is it really bad that you need to get a second opinioin?" Hinata asked, somewhat afraid.
"Well, it can be bad, but on the other hand, it can be good. I just need Lady Tsunade to confirm it. Then you have to decide if it's good or not." Sakura said, smiling. Somehow, Hinata felt a little better. After a few minutes, Sakura found the Hokage, and together, the six women walked into a nearby exam room. Tsunade instructed Hinata lay on the bed and relax as she too placed her hands over her stomach and began to gather chakra. After a few minutes, Tsunade pulled her hands away, a smile on her face.
"You were correct Sakura. It is exactly what you thought. Good job." She said turning to a pleased Sakura.
"Arigato. Now, we need to find Naruto." She said.
"Umm...Can I know what's wrong with me before you tell my fiancee?" Hinata asked, somewhat irritated.
Tsunade nodded to Sakura who smiled at Hinata.
"Hinata, your about a week pregnant."
Hinata felt her world suddenly fill with happiness and joy. Her face broke into a true smile, one that only Naruto had seen. She watched as Sakura left, yelling back into the room.
"Well, I got to go find Naruto so you can tell him, mommy." Sakura said grinning.
Naruto and Sasuke stood outside Itachi's door, trying to make sense of what had just transpired. After ten minutes of waiting, the door opened and they were allowed to enter. Sitting up on the bed, hospital gown on, was a smiling Itachi. His smile quickly vanished as shame crossed his face. All Sasuke did was glare at him. Naruto was stumped as to Itachi's actions. Jiriya, who was sitting in the window, decided to explain at that moment.
"I know your both wondering why Itachi isn't dead yet. The answer is that he is a spy for the village."
"Okay. So he's not dead for joining the Akatsuki. What about the slaughter of our clan?" Sasuke challenged. Itachi gave Sasuke a small smile before he started.
"Because they had planned on betraying the village. Father had been planinng on allying with the Akatsuki in an attampt to gain control of the village. I confronted him about it, and he attacked. I was forced to kill all of the clan except you. I didn't kill you because you didn't have anything to do with the plan. I'm sorry for what I put you through, little brother, but I had to make sure my cover was believeable."
Sasuke stood in stunned silence as a tear trickled down his face. Itachi also was silently crying as he watched his brother.
"You could have told me." Sasuke whispered, voice cracking slightly. Itachi smiled at him.
"You were eight. You had just saw me kill mother and father. On top of that, I had to gain the evil brother cover by making you hate me." He said, still crying slightly. Sasuke did the one thing that shocked everyone. He walked over and hugged his brother as both of them broke into sobs. Naruto felt happy for Sasuke. His family had come back to him. Signaling Jiriya, he let him know that he had to head home. Jiriya nodded as Naruto left the two brothers alone and started to head to the lobby when he came face to face to a smiling Sakura.
"Umm...What's up, Sakura? Why so happy?" He asked, nervously.
"Oh, I have my reasons, and you'll be happy too, when you find out, daddy." She teased him. He wondered if she had gotten into the Hokage's sake again.
"Umm...Okay. Hey. I thought you were out with Hinata?" He said, remembering clearly that he'd been told that they would be out shopping.
"I was. Untill we had to bring Hinata here. Don't freak. She's alright." She said as panic flashed across Naruto's face. "I'll take you to her."
"Wait a second. Why'd you call me 'daddy'?" Sakura didn't even look back at him.
Turns out, Hinata was just down the hall, four doors down from Itahci. When he entered, he saw a lot of people. Tenten, Ino, Shino, Choji, Hiashi, Hanabi, Temari, Shikamaru, Kakashi, Tsunade, Shizune, and Kurinai. Everyone was smiling as Naruto entered.
"Why's everyone so happy?" he asked a blushing Hinata. He walked over and sat on the chair next to her waiting for someone to tell him what was goning on.
"Naruto-kun. I have a question." She asked him, still blushing, not making eye contact. Only smiling.
"What is it?" He asked, not worried about what it might be.
"What would you say if I told you that we needed to start picking out furniture for the babies room?" She asked, blazing crimson.
"What do you..." His face went completely blank as what she said sunk in, "You mean your...your..."Naruto was unable to say anything as he looked at a smiling Hinata.
"Hai. I'm pregnant." She said, smiling brightly.
"Your pregnant." He repeated, realization dawning in him.
"I'm preganant." She said, still smiling, her blush not as bright,
"That means...your gonna be a mother to a child." He said, his face spliting into a wide grin. He grabbed Hinata's hand.
"Hai. And your going to be a father to our child." She said, giving his hand a small squeze as he began to cry with happiness.
"I'm gonna be a father! Yes!" he said, punching the air as he jumped up. He started jumping up and down for a few seconds before leaning in and giving Hinata a loving kiss. All around the room, everyone congratulated an estatic Naruto and a smiling Hinata as they left the room, giving the expecting parents sometime alone. They ended up in a deep hug, both crying with joy as the fact that they were going to be parents.