For everyone who has been so patient in reading this story, I want to thank you. It will soon be over in the next few chapters but I just hope you have enjoyed it. Many thanks from anoldfan xxx

Chapter Twenty Eight

A large sky became quickly filled with hundreds of beautiful red butterflies, flying through the mist and approaching every home within Kirigakure. The villagers upon seeing threw open their doors and windows. The people went onto the streets at such a beautiful sight, children chasing after them and men and women looking at them happily.

Nina looked at her people – they were so happy. Everyone was safe and the day's plan had gone very well.

"I am so envious of you" She spoke softly into Shino's ear, making him quiver.

"How could someone as lovely as you be envious of me? You saved Kiba and Hinata from potential danger… I owe you so much."

"Your intelligence helped us knew what was happening, helped us in finding Hinata and Naruto that day and look at how my people are now." She pointed to several couples who were using the pretty sight of the colourful winged insects to embrace each other and the sound of children laughing filled the air. "I'd rather have a gift like your than spitting lava, evaporating and making steam like mine."

"I love everything that makes you the woman you are," Shino said and taking from his jacket a small box, gave it to hear. Taking it she, she smiled at him curiously before quickly opening it. Inside were diamond tear drop earrings and a matching necklace. She gasped. "Can I help you put the necklace on?"

"Yes." She said smoothly and sexily, making Shino slightly lose his concentration. Taking a second to calm himself, he took the necklace from the box, moved behind her, gently placed it around the front of her neck and fastened the clasp. He turned around, seeing her look as beautiful with them as he had imagined. She still wore her hair in a bun and was now wearing a black velvet long sleeved top with a balcony neck line. Her short skirt was made of the same material and her boots were black leather. The necklace seemed to help soften the look and when she put in each earring, he also gasped.

"I have never seen anything as beautiful as you." He said. A red butterfly then came and landed on the wedding finger on her left hand, gently opening and closing its wings for around 10-20 seconds before leaving them both. Shino blushed as Nina giggled.

"Shino…" She said teasingly and Shino shrugged.

"That was their idea to do that." He said, unable to stop a laugh.

"So they like me too. Huh?"

"Oh yes." He said, nodding cutely. "They really want us to be together…. I know they would also like our children to have the same relationship with them that I do."

"Really?" She said, interested in this topic. "So, could someone like me have a relationship with them too?"

Shino grinned. "You already do. They think you are like their queen. All of the insects regard you as precious to them… more so than any other person I've ever known … including my family."

Nina looked as the butterflies, enjoying the atmosphere of the people around them, formed various shapes and images, making the crowds cheer happily. As they left, they formed a heart shape, swept over the whole of the village and then left for their natural habitat until they were needed again.

During this time, a few things happened…

Chōjūrō went to his Mei-Sama and having the chance talk to her without others present as they made their way away from the main village and towards her home, made his request to her.

"Mei-Sama, I love you so very much. I am not confident that I will be able to defeat Ao. I will not kill him; he should be given a fair trial and you to decide his fate, not me. He is very skilled and…"

"Shh." Mei pressed her finger to his lips to stop him from saying more. She spoke as she gently removed the finger from his lips to moving her hand to caress his jaw. "You will beat him, Chōjūrō. I believe in you so much."

He closed his eyes at her touch and his cheeks went rose red. He licked his lips and slowly opening his eyes and looking into hers, tried to continue.

"… If I do not survive the match, I have a very selfish request to make of you. Will you marry me?" Her eyes widened and her mouth opened slightly. Her caress stopped but her hand remained upon his soft, smooth, shaven face.

"You would marry me?" She said half-disbelieving and Chōjūrō's eyes looked worried.

"Of course… who wouldn't want t marry you?"

"Many wouldn't…" She looked sad and as she trailed off the sentence, he kissed her gently.

"Any man would be lying if they said they did not think you beautiful, kind or strong. You are perfect, Mei-Sama."

A tear fell from her right eye and he caught it with his left fore-finger, touching her cheek bone and making her sigh.

"Many would criticise you and me if we did this…"

"Do you care?" He asked honestly. If she did, then he would leave her so she could true happiness but …

"I love our people… but I also love you and Nina. You two are so important to me."

"Make me you husband, Mei-Sama." He spoke beseechingly to her and another tear joined the last. He smiled at her emotion and gently leant in and kissed it away with his lips. "Let me kiss all the pain and tears away from you."

"I will marry you in upon the next 'Big Rain Festival'." Mei said. She had loved and lost, though truly not loved as much as she had done with this man. His heart was pure, strong and true. No corruption or willingness to usurp her was in his spirit and she loved for that.

"That is thing worth fighting for." He said grinning before kissing Mei so passionately she groaned into the movement. The two quickly heading back towards her home and quickly shutting the door.

In addition to this…

Joleen sat upon Akamaru as he moved around the ton so she could best see the butterflies and Kiba walked proudly beside them.

"Kiba, why won't you let me ride you?"

"What?" he said, shocked and smiling. Joleen winked at him and he laughed.

"I guess I've never been asked by anyone that question." He shook his head smiling and then barking at Akamaru, the white dog suddenly stopped, sitting back slowly so Joleen could easily get off without falling.

"Jump on." He said, lowing his back and slightly squatting. Joleen laughed heavily at the sight of Kiba looking like he was about to pass wind from his butt. "Come on now, I don't bite."

Joleen gently climbed onto his back and found not only comfortable but warm. She flung her arms around his shoulders and enjoying the contact, he began to walk, Akamaru panting and wagging his tail before sniffing the air and running off in a different direction.

Whilst…

Hinata and Pakkun sat at a small café beside the main crowd, who were amazed by the glorious sight of the butterflies.

"Hinata-Sama … when do human females go into heat?"

"So-sorry Pakkun-Sama." Hinata queried, slightly confused and a bit shocked at the question.

"Well, you see female canines go into heat 2/3 times a year and I just wanted to work out how long it'd be for Kakashi and you to have a litter." Hinata smiled and slightly giggled, going red. Pakkun merely cocked his cute pug face to one side before asking.

"What's so funny?" He was actually serious about his question and reason for asking and so, Hinata cleared her throat and answered him.

"Human females will menstruate once a month…"

"ONCE A MONTH! Oh Kami! That explains were humans are so obsessed with sex… blimie!" He was really amazed by this answer. "So, how long does it take for a female to give birth?"

"About 9-10 months." Hinata stirred her tea and her spoon but upon seeing the look on Pakkun's face, she nearly dropped it.

"9-10 months? Seriously?"

She nodded and Pakkun eyes felt like they were going into spam.

"I though 2-3 months for the female canines was bad enough … but 9-10 months. That explains were the human females I've met complain so much about pregnancy." Pakkun nodded in realisation and Hinata, giving him a knowing look, gave him a biscuit from the plate in front of her. He sat in the chair opposite her and so as not to seen condescending, she put the biscuit onto a small china plate and placed it in front of him.

"Thank you." He said before gently licking it into his mouth.

"You're welcome, Pakkun-Sama. So, when is she due?"

"About…!" Oh Kami, she guessed. "How did you know, Hinata-Sama?"

Hinata shrugged and took a sip from her cup.

"I guessed, that was it. But isn't it a bit soon for her to… know she's pregnant?"

"No." Pakkun said honestly.

"But you only did it last… Oh!" said Hinata, smiling. "Kakashi didn't know about your personal trip here when he came, huh?" Pakkun grinned and laughed wolfishly, making Hinata smile and wink at him. "Are you happy with the situation?"

"Yes," Pakkun said proudly. "But Akamaru is a bit worried about us having to leave them both halfway through their pregnancies."

Hinata then dropped the cup, spilling it over the table but neither her or Pakkun acknowledging it.

"Oh boy. Kiba surely knows how to make this work…"

"He doesn't know yet," Pakkun informed her. "Akamaru didn't want to hurt his best friend by making him chose to let him stay in Kirigakure or go to Konoha with him. So he hasn't said anything yet, though I think he has to or he'll miss seeing his girl and kids again.

"We'll make this work out for both of you Pakkun…" Hinata grinned at him, looking at the table and quickly gathering napkins from her jacket to clean up the tea. "… Congratulations!"

Yamato then spotted then at the table and pulling up a chair, took some tissues from his jacket and helped to clean.

"How are you both doing?" Yamato said, looking at the cheerful faces.

"Just told Hinata I'm going to be a dad." Pakkun said, smiling. Yamato slightly shuddered as he helped clear the remains of the tea and after being served and ordering them all more tea, forced a smile at the pug.

"Congratulations, Pakkun-Sama." He said and when his tea arrived, he drank some.

"Oh, and Akamaru too. The next step will be knowing which girl is having whose puppies, though." Yamato then dropped his tea, Hinata's jaw dropping and as Pakkun has closed his eyes to give them his biggest grin, missed their reactions. "Guess will have to wait another month to find out."

"No more bedtime stories for those two."Hinata muttered as she asked the waitress for more tissues and set about helping to clean the table again, whilst Yamato gawped like a fish gasping for air.

Later that evening…

Everyone found their way home and the Mizukage and Nina had a request to make of each other.

"Mei-Sama," Nina said, holding Shino's hand. "Would you give Shino the right to court me and if things go well, agree to marry here." Mei beamed proudly at the couple and nodded. Nina hugged her aunt tightly and Shino looked beyond happy.

"I also have a request to make of you, Nina." Mei was nervous. This was really going to test their relationship. "When things have calmed down within our country…" Mei seemed for the 1st time at a loss for the right words. Chōjūrō placed his arm onto the small of her back and continued the request for her.

"Nina-Sama," he bowed low to the heiress who looked a little taken a back. "I love your aunt; more than a man like me should permit themselves. If I survive tomorrow, would give your consent for me to marry her upon the next 'Big Rain Festival'?"

"Well," she said, crossing her arms and pouting slightly. "That could prove problematic, Chōjūrō… who will marry Shino, me, you and my aunt together?" The crushed look on Chōjūrō's face dissolved into disbelief and Mei started squealing in happiness.

Chōjūrō started to laugh and said. "We'll find a way, Nina-Sama."

"I think you can drop the 'Sama' now … Uncle." She said with a raised eyebrow, making Shino wrap his arms around her from behind and kiss her on the top of her head. They four smiled at each other and as the women hugged each other, the men shook hands.

Joleen looked at Kiba, winked and then sighing joked. "Ah, when will it be my turn, Kiba-Sama?"

"When we get home." Kiba said grinning. Joleen shrieked so loudly that both Kiba and Akamaru whined in pain.

"Sorry!" She said, laughing.

"So he should be!" Yelled Yamato.

"Brother, please don't be so hard. You know Kiba would have asked your permission too…"

Yamato smiled and looked at his young friend. "He already did, Joleen.2

"The ring is being made for you back in Konoha." Kiba said, grinning. "Though I can't marry you until I have another gift for you."

"Akamaru barked proudly and Kiba looked at him confusedly.

"Sorry Akamaru?" Akamaru barked and Kiba nearly fell onto the floor in shock, however Joleen caught him and he started to cry with laughter as she helped him up.

"Kami… I'm a god father!" He exclaimed, and Akamaru came up to him and placing his paws on Kiba's chest, licked his face. Akamaru then whined and as Kiba hugged him, he asked him.

"Are you sure, boy?"

Akamaru barked happily again before putting all four paws back onto the floor.

"Well then," Kiba then went down onto one knee in front of his Joleen. She looked bemused but had a smile upon her lips. "In my family, we propose when we give our intended a special nin-ken, ninja dog of their own. In one month's time, Akamaru is going to be a daddy and has asked me make a request of you but only if you are truly happy with it. Would accept to raise one of the pups when they are born and in doing so, accept me?"

"Yes." She said, calmly, happily and with conviction.

The room was filled with what seemed happy couples everywhere. Hinata shared a look with Yamato and the Ayiti Princess, who looking around the room, shrugged and smiled. "Love. Know if I am ever to find it, I need to find a man who adores horses and cats. See you soon, Hinata-Sama."

"Your Highness." Hinata said bowing to the leaving Konoichi, Yamato eyes perfectly round and enlarged. A cat person…? He rushed after the Princess and bowing towards her, asked her to escort her home.

"You may." She said, slightly indifferent but amused at the affect she had upon the Leaf ANBU member as he nearly tripped up over his own feet to race to walk calmly by her side. Hinata smiled at him and Pakkun nudged her right shin.

"Are you okay with all this …" He said, looking at the almost hyperactively happy atmosphere around him.

"Not only are my two oldest best friends and cousin are going to get married but perhaps my newest canine and oldest canine best friends are going to be fathers … how could I not be happy?"

Pakkun rubbed her shin affectionately and together they went closer to the circle of friends and joined in the party-like atmosphere. They had an amazing dinner and prepared to wake up early the next day.

Meanwhile…

Ao chose not to go back to the Mizukage's home … instead he returned to a different place. A tree house that was situated in a most hidden and difficult spot within the mountains that surrounded the village. Once he had climbed up into it, he retraced his steps over the place where he had seen Hanabi hold her baby and the spot where he killed her partner.

He picked up from the floor a still new-looking wooden rattle and sat on the floor. I am going to sleep well tonight, Hanabi. If you trouble my dreams this night I will kill the boy now and not wait for the morning. He then went over to the dusty bed she once lay in and slept peacefully for the 1st time in almost a year.