Disclaimer: Naruto and all Naruto related stuff is (c) Masashi Kishimoto. All OCs and original storyline/plot/imagination (c) of ME!!
A/N: Do you all remember that chapter in WIND AND DRAGON where Neji and Tenten tell their friends that they're engaged?... Remember what it was called?... "The Calm before the Storm" … well… THIS chapter is that chapter for FIVE NOBLE CLANS… Yes, it is the calm before the storm…
THANKS FOR THE REVIEWS!!
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TWO MONTHS
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It was difficult for Neji to believe that two months already had passed since he and Tenten had returned to Konoha. In that time, a lot of things had changed. With the money he and Tenten had saved up over the five years they were away from the village, as well as the sale of their home in Tokuhogo, they had been able to buy a new home in Konoha. (1) Tenten had chosen a place close to her parent's house, but far enough away that Neji didn't feel as if Ryoku was watching his every move.
Since his promotion to the rank of ANBU, Neji had spent the last month and a half training day and night with Ryoku. It was becoming more than he could handle. At the same time, it was amusing to Neji, to discover that his original assessment, regarding Tenten being exactly like her father, had been correct. Not only did they seem to possess the same habits and temperament when it came to battle, they also had a very similar fighting style; not limited merely to the fact that they were both weapon-wielders. It didn't really surprise Neji, of course. He had always assumed she had learned her craft from her father in the first place. But it was surprising just how similar.
Fortunately this meant Neji, who was already used to training with Tenten, was able to more easily adjust his combat style to Ryoku's; making their compatibility training, a lot faster then it would have been otherwise. At this rate, they would soon be able to take on their first mission together very soon.
"haah." Neji sighed contently as he looked out into the large crowd gathered in his backyard; enjoying a much needed day off from training.
The newly appointed ANBU watched as his twin sons attentively listened to Oushi animatedly tell the nine children sitting around him a story. Occasionally, Hitori would poke Ryuuken to ask their grandfather, who was sitting next to them, whether the story was true.
"They seem to have finally taken to him." A familiar voice lazily commented from behind Neji.
"…" Neji slightly turned his head to the side as Shikamaru moved to stand besides him. "Hai." He nodded. It was true. Surprisingly, the boys had adapted to Ryoku much quicker then Neji had expected. Hitori was still slightly intimidated by the large ANBU, but even he had started approaching the man from time to time.
The two men watched as Oushi concluded his story, and the nine children gathered around him, slowly began to disperse. (2) Hitori soon left his elder brother and grandfather's side; running into the house, with the two year old Shinemuri following closely behind.
"What are the chances Hitori might actually win?" Neji asked the lazy genius besides him, as the two fathers watched their sons bring out a checker board game into a less crowded corner of the yard. It was uncanny how much like his father the young Nara looked.
"Who knows." Shikamaru shrugged. "Shinemuri's never played checkers before."
"Hn." Neji smiled.
Over the last month or so, Hitori and Shinemuri had become good friends; often playing one game or another; with the younger Nara almost always winning. Given that the young boy was Shikamaru's son, Neji wasn't surprised. It wouldn't surprise him either, if Shinemuri won at checkers too; regardless of never having played the game before. Still, Hitori had a love for board games, so Neji wouldn't count his youngest son out so easily either.
He was glad Hitori had made a friend. In the past, the youngest twin had often relied on Ryuuken's initiative to socialize with other children. It was good to see that Hitori was now beginning to break out of his timid shell. And if Shinemuri was anything like his father when he grew up, Neji was certain Hitori would have a very dependable friend for life.
"I don't think Ryuuken was as lucky." Shikamaru commented; tilting his head over to where the older Hyuga twin stood.
"Hn?" Neji turned in the direction indicated.
Across the festively decorated yard, Neji spotted Ryuuken attempting to distance himself from Shikamaru's other child, as three year old Matsumi tried stubbornly to grab hold of Ryuuken's arm while he played with Lee's son Daisuki, and Naruto and Sakura's two boys, Minato and Jiraiya.
"Almost looks like she's bullying him." Neji commented, as they watched Matsumi pull the four year old Ryuuken away from the other boys.
"Yeah, she does that." Shikamaru smirked. "So," He turned to face the blond and brunette talking in a different corner of the yard. "It's definitely a girl?"
Neji followed the lazy genius' gaze; his eyes landing on the pair's wives as Tenten and Temari happily talked with one another.
"Hai." Neji nodded, as she watched his, now noticeably pregnant wife laugh at some comment the blond kunoichi made.
"Hn." Shikamaru smirked. "Good luck with that."
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"I think they had a lot of fun today." Tenten smiled down as she lovingly tucked in the two sleeping birthday boys.
"Hai." Neji returned her smile; slowly sneaking his arms around his wife, as he gently pulled her back into him. "I agree. They seem to have enjoyed themselves."
"Yeah." Her smile widened, as she leaned back deeper into Neji's arms. "Especially the part with Lee's frosting covered face." Muffled giggling vibrated against his chest, as the kunoichi attempted to stifle her laughter, at remembering the moment their former teammate had carried in the birthday cake into the yard; comedicly falling face first into the blue and yellow pastry.
Gently tightening his hold around Tenten, Neji pressed his nose into her loose hair; deeply inhaling his wife's relaxing scent. "You looked like you were having fun too." His muffled whispers softly spoke into her right ear.
"Yeah." She sighed contently, as Neji's arms wrapped further along her abdomen; stroking small circles around her bulging belly.
"What was it that amused you while talking with Temari-san?" Neji asked curiously.
He had noticed that the two kunoichi had spent most of the party laughing as they talked. It had been a wonderful sight, to see Tenten enjoying herself, after having had to endure so much sadness and fear; Neji wanted to know what had delighted his wife so much.
"Oh." A playful smirked appeared on the kunoichi's face as she remembered her earlier conversation with the sand-kunoichi. "Temari said it looked like Matsumi-chan has a crush on Ryuuken."
"Hn." Neji nodded; remembering how the young Nara girl had seemed attached to the slightly irritated Ryuuken during the party.
"Yeah." Tenten's smirk grew more playful. "Also, since there are so many more boys than there were girls, she wondered which one Mai-chan might end up falling for." Tenten giggled, while rubbing her hand gently along the top of her swelled stomach. (3)
"Hn." Neji grimaced at the thought. What was it with woman and matchmaking? "They'll be too old for her." He responded dryly.
"Haha." Tenten laughed in response. "Look at you. Still two months until she's born, and already you're fighting the boys off." A wicked smile arose on the kunoichi's angelic face, as she turned to face her husband. "You know, Nao-chan would only be six months older."
"Tenten." Neji began protesting the idea, as Tenten released herself from his grip; turning herself around to see his panicked expression.
"I'm sure Lee would be very happy." Tenten snicker; watching as the implication made Neji's eyes grow twice their normal side, before departing from the room to begin cleaning after the party. (4)
"Tenten!" Neji quickly followed after.
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TBC
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FOOTNOTES:
(1) In case anyone has forgotten… Tokuhogo is the village Neji and Tenten lived in for the five years they were gone…
(2) KID COUNT: Ryuuken and Hitori (NejiTen), Matsumi and Shinemuri (ShikaTem), Minato and Jiraiya (NaruSaku), Chika (InoCho), Daisuki (LeeOC), Kei (ShinoOC)… Nao (LeeOC) has also been born by this time, but Nao is still a new born, so not in the little crowd… for a timeline of all the kid's births, go check out my profile…
(3) YES! The name as been decided… Mayuki! A combination of Mayu (Tender Hope) and Yuuki (Gentle Truth)… nickname being Mai-chan.
(4) In case you haven't seen my "next generation timeline" and don't know, Nao is ROCK NAO… as in Lee's newborn son… hence, why Lee would be very happy… lol
A/N: The ending was a little… eh… but I just wanted to put that little joke in… lol… hope you enjoyed this "calm before the storm" chapter… XP