Naruto is surprisingly excited when Sasuke asks about his accounts the next morning after breakfast.
"Oh, I can finally give that back to you! Honestly, teme, they didn't like me at all for defending you so much. But I didn't want them vulture off what's yours! So, I kept it all until you decided to come back. I mean, even if you didn't, I'd keep it for you and maybe some lost child with Sharingan ends up here, I can give it to them!"
Sasuke shakes his head with a fond smile. How very Naruto to forget that he's carrying an Uchiha child, therefore if and when his death reaches Konoha, everything will go to child, and him by extension as the mother.
Which then makes Sasuke realize, yes, Naruto had been ready to move on without him. He had been ready to live his life, yet his life would still be about protecting Sasuke, or whatever it is that is left of him in this godforsaken village.
Naruto goes over to a drawer that's locked with a key, pulls out some brown envelopes and presents them to the alpha at the table. In it, Sasuke's personal documents. He has all his IDs, other legal documents, though they need some updated photos and addresses.
"There's a lot more, I just don't know if I have it all since I don't… well, I just busted my butt out there and demanded it all back,"
He removes the documents from the envelopes. There are proof of Sasuke's identity, some legal papers regarding inheritance and heirs.
"I don't know all the specifics, but your family… the entire clan's estate fell to you, including your brother. So, there's a lot left to you. Like a lot, a lot. I'm not smart enough to visualize it a lot, but it's a lot."
He pulls out a map of what used to be the compound, now a residential area built for the people who were most affected by the war. Naruto points to where Sasuke's house used to be. It's now marked as the main administrative office for the development of the compound.
"I tried saving your land, but they wouldn't budge. I wanted to retain your clan's history, also offered to at least name it a district after the Uchiha. They didn't like that either,"
Several passbooks fall out of the envelope.
"They took ten percent of your inheritance, but Baa-chan said because of how much was left to you, the insurances, your interests and whatever it is that your family signed or invested in, must've regained whatever it is the village taxed off it. The insurance papers, copies of your parents' and brother's I have around here somewhere. All of the other originals are in the safes in the archives since there are a lot, like. There were a lot of Uchihas. I asked Shikamaru to put them there for safe keeping,"
He flips open a passbook to show Sasuke but doesn't look.
"I ask the banks update it from time to time. I don't look at it though. Didn't think it was right to peek at someone's banking like that. Baa-chan helped me fix your accounts. To consolidate all the estates of the deceased. You have land all over the village that belonged to clan members, but I insisted it be sold to villagers rather than be removed from you. Kakashi-sensei helped me with that one. He said it was some land grabbing scheme the elders wanted to play, but Kakashi-sensei and Baa-chan had my back,"
Naruto opens another envelope and hands Sasuke more legal documents which are this time are in fancy, shiny folders.
"And you have trusts, too, from your brother and your parents. I didn't let them touch that for the taxing thing, since that doesn't regenerate on its own like the others with interest. Don't know how it works though, or how or where you can access it. Didn't read through it,"
Sasuke looks through the documents Naruto has spread out on the table. He looks up at Naruto and the omega is looking anywhere else but the papers. Naruto is too good for him.
Naruto, who looked at him and saw a child who needed a friend, a hug, love, the sun. Who never gave up. Who bore the brunt of his hate and revenge. Who held him when he needed it. Who is tireless in keeping him grounded.
"Thank you for all your efforts, Naruto," says Sasuke.
Naruto flashes him that sun bright smile he loved so much. "You're welcome!" he gets up. "I'll make you some tea. This is a lot to read," he puts the kettle on, grabs some loose sencha from the cupboard, and brews Sasuke a pot.
For a while, Sasuke keeps on reading to understand how he can go about approaching this immense estate bequeathed to him. Usually, with a house like his, the head's mate is the one who know most about the finances and ownership, next to the head, of course. He moves from the table to the dresser Naruto took the documents from, retrieved the pen and paper he was using the night before, goes back to the table, and starts calculating how much the interest on the accounts is worth.
Oh yeah, they can live off the interest alone quite well already.
"Thank you," he says when the teapot and cup is set down next to him. He does more reading, takes a couple of sips while Naruto moves around in the apartment. "Naruto," he looks up at his mate when Naruto arrives at his side, "I want you to read all of this. I'm registering you as a joint account holder, so you can manage everything with me. So that you have authority to withdraw and receive on my behalf,"
This is the closest to marriage Sasuke can get for now, so that his money and his land is Naruto's, too.
"Huh?" that's not what Naruto expected to hear. He actually thought Sasuke would… leave. Settle somewhere else. Visit him and the baby from time to time. "Why?"
With all this… Sasuke could rebuild wherever he wanted. He didn't have to stay here with him. Naruto knows he hates it here. Even though over the last few days, Sasuke has said he isn't going anywhere, he could still stay somewhere else and visit. That's the same thing, right? But there's still the uncertainty at the back of Naruto's head, whispering, goading his insecurities, and making sure it wraps around his neck as tight as it can enough to choke to remind him, he's not worth anybody's time, no matter how tightly he holds on to these people, no matter how hard he gives chase, no matter how hard he tries to please.
"Because I want you to,"
Marriage may be a long way to go, and Sasuke is already sure Naruto is his mate. It's not just about feeling obligated to the child. He came home wanting to finally be with Naruto, after years of running because that's why he came back. He can't deny himself the thing he's wanted for so long. The child is just a bonus.
"You do?"
"Of course I do," Sasuke pulls Naruto onto his lap.
Naruto puts his arm around Sasuke's shoulders, and Sasuke holds his stump up Naruto's back to keep him steady.
"Look here," Sasuke points to a document detailing his trusts. "Over time, this money will be released to me a fraction at a time. I'm going to put it back into a trust in our name, for our children,"
"Children?" Naruto squeaks. "Not just this one?"
"Well, if you're willing to have more. If you don't want to, then we won't. It's your body carrying these children, so it's your choice," Sasuke wants more of course. He wants to rebuild a grand house, a clan. It's going to take some time, but he wants to return the Uchiha to its former glory.
Naruto blushes pink, but nods. Sasuke wants more children with him. "I will try my best to keep healthy and give you as many children as I can,"
"That's a quick decision, but we'll get there when we get there," Sasuke chuckles. "Would you like to peek?" he holds up a folded passbook to Naruto. The book was updated about a year ago. It should have gone up again.
Naruto frowns. "You're sure?"
"It's going to be your name on it, too,"
He still thinks it's rude to look into someone else's banking. He's had these papers for a little over seven years now, but he never looked once. But since Sasuke is the one telling him, he peeks then gasps. The number of digits makes him drop the passbook like back onto the table it's hot coal. This doesn't even include the insurances and the trust yet.
"You're joking. Sasuke!"
"I've always known this was here, Naruto," says Sasuke, "I just thought maybe the village had already drained it as reparations for my actions. But you kept it for me, without assurance that I would ever come back to use it,"
"Of course I'd keep it! That's yours. They had no right!"
"They had every right," he argues, "They had every right to take it from me after everything I've done. I used to not know what do with it if it did exist, but now, I know what I want to do with it,"
"What does someone even do with that!"
"I'll spend it on you,"
"What?"
"I'll spend it on you. All for you. Anything in the world, Naruto. Just say it. Whatever you want, go anywhere, do anything, everything, for you,"
Naruto's lip wobbles. "Teme," he sniffles. "That should be for the baby,"
Sasuke smiles. Typical Naruto. Thinking about others first. "Well, of course for the baby. Can't Naru-mama get what he wants and needs, too?"
"Teme!" Naruto says again and starts crying. He's a mama. He'll be the mama of Sasuke's baby. "I'm gonna be a mama,"
"Usuratonkachi," Sasuke just laughs. "I'm gonna be a papa, too,"
Naruto gasps. "Oh my God, you're gonna be a papa!"
After all the documents have been arranged back into the envelopes, locked in the cabinet, Sasuke brings Naruto to Ichiraku that night.
"What for?" Naruto asks as they walk hand in hand to Naruto's favorite shop.
"Should there be a reason I want to take you out on a date?"
Naruto blushes furiously. "Well, you should've thought of wooing me first before getting me pregnant, teme!"
"Dobe, how should I know you're fertile as a fox? You weren't even in heat then,"
"Of course I'm a fox!" Naruto argues. "I'm literally a vessel for a fox!"
"What about we test that fox fertility?" Sasuke raises a brow at him.
"Don't be a pervert!" the blonde hisses at him. "We're in public!"
"Let's try for two next time,"
"Stop it!"
"You're the one who said you wanted to give me more children," Sasuke points out.
"Stop teasing me, teme," Naruto frowns. "I can't throw you to the wall!"
Sasuke snickers and leans over to kiss Naruto's hair.
That makes Naruto blush even harder. He can feel his cheeks and ears heat from the blood rushing to his face. He closes the distance between their arms by latching onto Sasuke's arm instead of his hand.
"Naruto! It's been a while!" Teuchi greets him as he and Sasuke arrive to sit. "Sasuke, hisashiburi da na!"
Naruto grins and pats his belly as he takes a seat. "Tsunade-baa-chan gives me an earful all the time about having ramen too much. Bad for the baby,"
"Hokage-sama cares, y'know? And you're looking good!" says Teuchi. "So what'll it be tonight?"
"Thanks! A miso ramen with extra chasu please!"
He's surprised but nice to see them together again. "What'll it be for you?"
"The shoyu ramen with chasu and an extra soft-boiled egg. And a plate of gyoza," answers Sasuke.
"Coming right up!"
They bicker as they eat, and Teuchi is caught off guard but not surprised when Naruto feeds Sasuke a gyoza dipped in sauce with togarashi.
"Did Baa-chan like the dumplings I made?" Naruto asked Sasuke.
The dark-haired shinobi swallows. "Well, I watched her halve the entire thing before she even talked to me. I think she liked it. Besides, even if they looked ugly, it's impossible to fuck it up if you seasoned the meat right,"
"Teme, you're so mean, insulting my dumplings,"
"Well, dobe, they were ugly, some were too fat, and some popped open,"
"Just you wait, I'm gonna be just as good as Teuchi-san in wrapping dumplings!"
Teuchi laughed. "What got you into making dumplings?"
"Maternity leave," Naruto pats his belly again. "Baa-chan told me to fuck off, so I have the time,"
When their bowls are done and the meal is paid, Teuchi notices how gently Sasuke helps Naruto off the stool.
"You good?" the Uchiha asks.
"Ahh, Sasuke, suge omoi datte bayo," So heavy. Naruto groans, unable to keep himself from making a face, and cups the underside of his belly, taking a big exhale as he gets to his feet, still gripping tightly onto Sasuke. "I think I ate too much. How does it go from okay to I can't walk anymore in such a short amount of time?"
"Usuratonkachi," Sasuke chuckles, steadying Naruto on his feet. "We'll walk slow, get all that food down,"
"Then you'll be bored walking so slow,"
"I don't mind,"
Naruto grins at him. "Thank you for the ramen, teme," then tips on his toes and leans over to kiss Sasuke's cheek.
"Any time, dobe,"
Teuchi notices them hold hands as they walk away. So that's the development between those two. About time if you ask him. Then he wonders if it's Uchiha's child Naruto is carrying.
"Well, what'd you really bring me to Ichiraku for?" Naruto asks as they walk the long way home, rubbing his belly hoping it'd feel lighter as the food gets burned off.
"I'm going to look for apartments. We're moving out of your apartment. Tsunade-san gave me two weeks,"
Naruto groans. "I told Baa-chan I'd handle it. Is that why she asked for you?"
"That among other things. She's right. You need somewhere there's an elevator or be on the ground floor,"
"I was looking," Naruto admits. "I've been looking for weeks. Pretty sure Baa-chan has surveillance on me all the time. Not that they're allowed to help with looking for a place, or the groceries or anything. I just can't find any place that's within budget. It's not like saving the village is enough reason to get a discount. Everybody's short on cash, I understand that. Nobody wants to put up with an unmated, pregnant omega who's going to ruin other tenant's lives by just being there, asking to be assaulted—"
Sasuke tightens his hold on Naruto's hand and pulls him into an empty street. "Nobody asks to be assaulted, Naruto. Unmated, mated, pregnant or not, in heat or not. Whether they're shinobi or a civilian who can or can't defend themselves. Do you understand?"
The omega sighs. "I know. It's just… it's not like it's not true, y'know? I know that bat wasn't going to be useful against shinobi. It was so I could protect myself against civilians,"
He's so mad he doesn't know what to do with the lightning that wants to burst out of his fingers. For all the talented shinobi and kunoichi in this village, it's still backwards to its omegas. All this time, since Naruto came home pregnant, he'd been going through this kind of discrimination and borderline harassment, if he's being told to his face that he's asking to be assaulted for being pregnant and unmated. After everything Naruto's done for them.
"You're not single anymore, Naruto, I am your mate, and until you can defend yourself, I will. If anyone even tries looking at you, I will end them,"
Naruto snickers, looking up at him with teary eyes. Sasuke is his mate. "Thanks, teme," Naruto leans into him, then again gives Sasuke a kiss to his cheek. "So can you scare away all the ba-chan that want to touch my tummy?"
That will be a lot of fun. "With pleasure," Sasuke grins at him.