As the days went by, Naruto and Hinata pretty much lapsed back into their normally routines. Naruto went on a few B and C Rank missions a couple of times but he was always back in a matter of days. Hinata was confined to the village on "Pregnancy Leave" She spent most of her days either learning the ropes of being the Head of the Hyuuga Clan (just in case) or going through "Motherhood 101" with Kurenai. She and Naruto got together whenever they could. Their dates never got as serious as that first night. After the better part of four weeks, though, Hinata began to feel strange. She started feeling queasy a lot. She got horrible headaches and backaches for no apparent reason. She started getting a little suspicious, but she waved it off as her imagination. Then they became more aggressive and frequent. And finally, she missed it (I really don't know how else to phrase this appropriately ^^').
When Hinata finally realized it, she went straight to Kurenai. Kurenai was, to put it mildly, ecstatic. In fact, Hinata didn't even have to tell her anything. As soon as Kurenai opened the door and saw the look on Hinata's face, she knew. She squealed at the top of her lungs and glomped Hinata.
"K-Kurenai-sensei...you're going to hurt the baby." Hinata said as Kurenai's surprisingly strong arms squeezed the life out of her.
Kurenai let go and looked at her slyly.
"Yours or mine?" she asked playfully.
Hinata turned bright red. Kurenai ushered her into the house. The two sat down on Kurenai's couch. Hinata wrung her hands nervously.
"What do I do? What will Naruto-kun say? "
She gasped.
"What will Chichi-san say ?"
Kurenai put a hand on Hinata's shoulder.
"Take it easy, you don't have to tell them right away. " she said soothingly.
Kurenai put an arm around Hinata's shoulder.
"For now, it might be best that you keep doing what you're doing. Learn everything you can about being a mother. People will think you're just going with the plan. Then, when you start to shoiw signs, you can tell them."
Kurenai bit her lip.
"That may prove troublesome to their descision making though. It will definately become a huge factor into how to deal with things."
Kurenai looked at Hinata.
"I can tell him for you if you want. Your father that is. You're going to have to tell future daddy yourself."
Hinata shook her head.
"No, I have to tell them myself." she said queitly.
Kurenai patted her on the back.
"Hey, cheer up. With the exception of the morning sickness, back pain, swollen ankles, mood swings, cravings, and labor, being pregnant is a wonderful expirience."
Hinata had to laugh. Kurenai rubbed the back of her head and chuckled.
"Heheh, I know how that sounds."
She looked tenderly at her round belly. She rubbed it gently, her heart leaping when she felt a small kick. She smiled at Hinata.
"But it really is the most amazing thing in the world." she said awestruck.
She grabbed Hinata's hand and put it on her tummy. Hinata stared in wonder. She gasped when she flet a tiny little foot hit her hand. Her eyes sparkled. Kurenai gave her a knowing smile.
"Hinata-chan, no matter what anyone else says, you are going to be a wonderful mother."
A tear rolled down Hinata's cheek. Her free hand went to her own stomach. She knew that she wasn't going to be able to feel anything yet, but the promise that she would someday soon made her heart flutter. She was going to have a baby. Naruto's baby. She thought back to the dream she had weeks ago. The one where she woke up next to Naruto. Their kids. Twins. A girl: Michiko. And a boy: Masashi. Hinata locked those names away in her memory. She looked at Kurenai.
"You're right. This is...an amazing journey...and, if he'll have me, Naruto-kun and I are going to face it together. " she said hopefully.
Deep inside her heart, however, she was terrified.
Hinata and Naruto walked throught the park holding hands. As they walked, Hinata was overcome by a sudden fear. What if Naruto got angry? What if he didn't want to be a father? She became increasingly nervous. Naruto could sense it. Finally, he turned to her.
"Hinata, is something wrong?"
HInata blushed and fidgeted with her finghers. She looked around to see if anyone was near. She looked up at Naruto.
"Let's sit down some place." she suggested.
Teh two of the went off the path and sat down under a tree. They sat fin silence for a while. Hinata looked up at the leaves of the trees, Naruto didn't take his eyes off of her. A small tear rolled down HInata's cheek. she turned to Naruto, smileing.
"N-Naruto-kun...I'm...I'm going to have a baby."
Naruto sat in shock for a bit. Then he laughed.
"Wow! You really had me going there for a second, Hinata-chan! " he said.
He looked at Hinata, waiting for her to laugh. Her lip quivered slightly. Naruto frowned.
"I-I'm not k-kidding." she said in a broken voice.
Naruto's eyes grew wide.
"Hey, wait, so you're serious?" he said, unbeleiving.
Tears streamed down Hinata's face. She nodded. Then she burried her head in her hands. Naruto kneeled in front of her and hugged her. She cried on his shoulder.
"Naruto-kun...I'm so scared..." she cried.
Naruto rubbed her back. He put his hands on her shoulders and gently lifted her up to look at her in the eyes.
"Hinata-chan...you aren't in this alone. " he said seriously.
He grabbed her hand. His eyes sparkled with tears. He smiled.
"Hinata Hyuuga, will you marry me?" he asked.
Hinata's heart swelled. She threw her arms around him.
"Y-yes! Yes, I'll marry you, Naruto-kun!" She sobbed.