Chapter 56 Around the Table

The weather was finally showing some signs of warming up in the Land of Granite as the snows of another record-breaking winter received back up into the mountains. With the coming spring people where spending more time outside and building began again on the great bridge which would link the island to the mainland, in fact with only a few feet left and some other finishing touches it wasn't long until the bridge was done.

"So the opening ceremony is tomorrow?" asked Sasuke as he looked toward Naruto who sat across the table from him.

"Yes and no you don't have to go." answered Naruto as he tossed in a few chips into the small pile of chips in the center "I'll call, I wish I didn't have to."

"Naruto." started Shikamaru as he took a drink of his own. "It will not be that bad and from my understanding you will not even have to do a speech, only lead the walk across the bridge. Ino is the one who will have to speak and she is pregnant and if you complain about it to her then you will have to deal with it."

Naruto groaned a bit as he leaned back in his chair.

"He is right kid you already have two vixens ready to rip your throat out no reason to add another," advised the Kyuubi

"So true, I am already dealing with Sakura-chan and Hinata-chan, no reason to add to the trouble." stated Naruto "Sakura-chan ran out of coffee yesterday and I thought she was going to rip my head off and Hinata is not any better she seems to go through a galleon of hot sauce every day."

"Ah, still in the craving stage are they?" asked Kakashi as he looked at his former student turned Kage "Shizune and Rin had that bad too but it was chocolate covered pretzels and fudge."

"I am just happy Ino-chan didn't have that, I don't think I would have survived all three of them like that." Thanked Naruto

"Story is that women from my clan always craved red meat when they were pregnant but that may be an old wives tale." added Kiba with a shrug knowing that he would find out if it was true soon enough.

"I wonder how our better halves are doing right now?" asked Neji

"I would normally the same thing we are drinking but since most of them are pregnant probably not." reported Sai who was one of the few around the table who did not have or was expecting children in the near future.

"And we please stop talking about wives, girlfriends and children." complained the only none demon who sat at the table, Suigetsu. "We have a game going on."

"Well put that on hold," said Choji as he walked into the room, as the host for this guys night he had gone all out and most of all in the food. He had prepared slow cooked pork that had been smoked for over 24 hours by Choji. "Food is ready."

"Finally some good news." said Suigetsu as he placed his cards down along with everyone else around the table before they all moved out into the large dining room. Sitting there on the table was a slow smoked whole pig and a lot of side dishes ready to be served.

"You go all out," noted Neji

"Yes, I do." confirmed Choji with pride as he cut into the roasted season pig with a carving knife.

While Choji was impressing, his friends with his food preparation only a few miles away from the guys the women were having a baby shower for Samui. Like the men, they were eating however since most of them where pregnant or had just recently given birth.

"So let's see those rings again?" demanded Shizune even as she held her newborn daughter in her arms.

Ino, Sakura and Hinata all lifted their hands to show the personalized diamond engagement rings which Naruto had given all three of them days earlier. All three of them was gold with a large diamond in the center surrounded by four stones. The stones where the birth stones of all four of them deep blue Topaz for Hinata, light blue Aquamarine for Sakura, deep purple Sapphire for Ino and lastly white Opel for Naruto. It was becoming a sort of common practice almost new tradition to put the birthstones of all in the soon to be marriage to be.

"Very nice." said Temari

"Well this is the only ring we are getting for a while." explained Hinata

"Why?" asked Karui, as she looked at the drinks behind her own bar wishing she could have some. The restaurant/bar she owned was closed to the public until after 8pm for this private party but the kitchen staff and her bartender was at work to cook and serve the party.

"Partly my fault." admitted Ino as she took the final bite of her salad "I want my mom at the wedding and that will not happen until after we have that meeting in two years."

"And we all want to look good for that day." added Sakura

"And that night." added Hinata as all the women laughed before the salads where taken away and the main dishes arrived.

"So Karui?" asked Karin as the red head snapped her head up and looked toward the other red headed woman. "How are you and Kiba doing?"

"Good." confirmed Karui before leaning back in her chair and deciding to go for it "Actually I caused him to freak out a couple days ago."

"Well if it is anything like the story about how you told him it must be good." offered Rin as she looked toward where her daughter was sleeping in a baby stroller passed out to the world.

"Well it was kind went like this." Started Karui as she remember how it went down.

Flashback one week ago

Karui walked into the large wooded area behind her now fiancée place, their constant activities in the bedroom had some sort of unexpected results. Due to the fact the condom box was empty and neither wanted to wait Kiba and Karui where on the fast track to parenthood just like it seemed half the people in the village was. She moved out toward the large training area where Kiba was busy trying to teach the dire wolves which made out his new pack how to act like ninjas. So far the results were mix, they where great in combat, tracking and with the average size being almost half the size of a plow horse intimidation wasn't an issue. The problem was working with people the wolves had come to consider Kiba and by extension herself as part of their pack but others not so much.

"So any improvements?" asked Kauri as she moved to stand beside Kiba as the wolves carried out some drills.

"Not in the needed fields." reported Kiba "I'll need a drink tonight after all this."

"I wish I could, I run a bar but I can't fucking drink." cursed Karui "I called for a doctor appoint today."

"When?" asked Kiba, getting a doctor's appoint without waiting weeks was hard since there was so many people pregnant.

"Lunch time today." report Karui as Kiba looked down at his watch and saw it was already past four in the afternoon. "You were having lunch with Shino, next time tell me where the hell you're going."

"Oh…well is everything ok?" asked Kiba

"Medically yes, but we are in some major trouble." Reported Karui as Kiba blinked.

"Twins?" asked Kiba knowing that his mother had a twin who died shortly after birth. It was a fear of his, he saw how some of the other guys had to deal with a lot of little kids all around the same age. He loved kids but having two so close of age was an issue in his eyes, no he wanted one then maybe four years later another one and go from there.

"No." reported Karui as Kiba exhaled as he closed his eyes, he never saw her raise her hand up. When he opened his eyes he looked toward Karui only to see her hand raise and her fingers spread, her pointer, middle and ring finger where all up. Kiba blinked as his mind tried to process the information.

"Three...triplets?" asked Kiba "Damn."

"Yes, your little swimmers hit home three times the doctor didn't think that any of them are going to be identical." laughed Karui as she founded her arms over her chest "I didn't even take any fertility tea or use any of those Justus like a lot of the others are doing."

Then without another word Kiba took her into his arms and lifted her up into the air and spun her around before placing a kiss on her lips.

End Flashback

Turns out the men were discussing almost the same thing as the women as they stood around with plates full of slow cooked smoked meat with half a dozen different sauces to choice from.

"Triplets, lucky you, maybe they will all be girls." laughed Sasuke as Kiba glared at the Uchiha.

"Didn't you become a father a week ago?" asked Kiba knowing the answer already. "To a daughter if I remember."

"Yes." Said Sasuke as he touched a small metal bracelet on his right wrist it was a tradition among Tamaki family, the father is supposed to wear a bracelet with his children's names around his wrist. Karin and Sasuke had both liked it enough to add it to the already long list of Uchiha clan taditions. "Neko Uchiha and Karin is having a girl as well."

"Can we stop talking about kids." snapped Suigetsu before looking at Neji who had remained almost totally quiet during the whole party. "Tell me how did your wife come up with that new weapon of hers? I swear when I saw that test I almost pissed myself in fear."

"It is a powerful weapon." Said Naruto as he remembered the smoke and fire that filled the air from the fake military outpost they had set out as a target. When Tenten had come and told him about her idea he had thought she was crazy but the "Tiger's Teeth" as she called it would rank among the most powerful Justus he had ever seen and it didn't take years of training to do, only a few hours of training and the right tools.

"We are preparing placements for them along with our other defenses," reported Shikamaru "On top of that we have all the public works projects. We are turning an old open air mine into a manmade lake/beach for the people since swimming in a busy harbor isn't a good idea."

"The main question is will we be ready in time?" asked Naruto "We have two years before the conference and we will be discovered."

"Well the bridge is done, the city walls are up, the Harbor defenses are done and the main defensive wall is a month ahead of plans." reassured Shikamaru "Finally we are breaking ground for the sea side next month. Our defensives will be ready in time."

"I still say the best defense is a good offense," grumbled Sasuke

"Maybe we should get back to our card game?" offered Kiba

Hours later a massive street festival was going on in the village hidden in the leaves. The people were celebrating two things at the same time to mark the defeat of the Kyuubi and the wedding of the Hokage. Multiple colored banners either the black and white of the Hyuuga clan or deep purple and silver of the Kurama clan hung from lampposts. While the people were enjoying the street party up on top of the Hokage building the private wedding reception was going on as VIPs from multiple nations all gathered to toast Hanabi Hyuuga and her new husband Bilal Kurama Hyuuga. Since Hanabi was the Hokage and the head of the more powerful clan her husband had taken her name instead of the other way around.

"You look like you fell from heaven," whispered Bilal into Hanabi's ear causing a smile to cross her face as the flash of multiple cameras went off. The bride and groom both sat at a low table, which was raised up so that they could look out over their guests. The Bride was dressed in a white kimono with silver inlays in flora patterns around her neck was a large necklace with the black and white yin yang symbol of the Hyuuga clan in black and white diamonds. The groom was dressed in a simple black ceremonial robes with the traditional ceremonial sword on his lap even though he wasn't a ninja.

"Welcome to the family." said Haishi Hyuuga as he sat to his son-in-law left.

"Thank you elder Haishi." said Bilal with a slight bow of respect to Haishi who returned the bow. "I am looking forward to doing anything possible to improve the strength of my new clan."

"Lady Hokage it is a pleasure to meet you again." said the new Fire Daimyo which would have been Hanabi's husband if Hinata was still in the clan. "I and the other Daimyos was hoping for an update in the war going on in the land of Lightening?"

"Does this have to happen now, it is her wedding day." inquired Bilal's mother who sat beside her new daughter-in-law.

"It is alright." reassured Hanabi as she patted the elder's hand before turning toward the Daimyo's which had lined up along with the other high level visitors to deliverer gifts to the bride and groom. "A Hokage's work is never done."

"The peace mission goes well we have over three fourths of the land of lightening is under control the problem is that the one third that is left is high in the mountains and the weather has turned against us." explained Hanabi "We will do a holding operation through the winter and finish the job when spring comes."

"Very good." said the young Fire Daimyo as he turned toward an aid which stood beside him. "Now if I may…"

With that, the line of people moved forward presenting gifts to the Bride and Groom. It was traditional for the guest to give the bride and groom gifts on their wedding day; some even had to present their gifts out in the open for all to see. It was to the benefit Hanabi and Bilal since the Daimyos and other high profile guests each tried to outdo it each in the price of the gifts. By the time, it neared the end of the line of guests Hanabi had lost count of the number of rare jewelry, ceremonial weapons and other costly items. Finally, the last two guests moved up to present their gifts, unlike the others who whore traditional robes these men were dressed in pants with padded shirts over chainmail. Hanabi titled her head a bit, as she looked at the black and white ravens, which appeared on their shirts.

"Lady Hokage." said the older man who had the black raven on his vest "I thank you for your invite to your ceremony; on behalf of my Queen I wish you and your husband happiness."

"Thank you Lord Carac." thanked Bilal with a smile as Hanabi remembered who this man was.

"It isn't much but I hope it pleases both of you," said Carac as he snapped his fingers as a second man dropped to one knee and opened a small wooden chest to show two simple jeweled butterfly. For a moment, Hanabi and the others looked confused until they noticed the two butterfly were actually attached to each other in a simple slip on wristband.

"Thank you for your gift Lord Carac." said Haishi as the older man moved off his chain mail clanking as he went.

"Why did you invite him?" whispered Haishi to his son-in-law. "His gift is an insult you could get that in a simple shop."

"He is a high ranking member of a new government and having him on our side would open the door to that nation for goods made by any of the clan's business." defended Bilal "I know it a bad gift but if we make money from his nation it is worth giving him a seat."

"Besides I love butterfly's and I love the colors, it is something you wear every day." defended Hanabi with a smile as fireworks began to go off all around the village.

Elsewhere in the village, Kurenai was sharing drinks with a few friends mostly that included Guy and Lee. She had been lucky that Mirai was having a sleep over with her other seven year old friends so another mother was watching her, leaving Kurenai's evening open.

"Hard to believe it has been two years since the last time we saw those youthful faces," stated Guy as he took a drink at the bar. The bar was packed as people drank to the wedding of the Hokage and the anniversary of the defeat of the Kyuubi.

"And I hope we never see them again." said Kurenai sadly knowing that she couldn't share the news that they were at least alive and Ino was having a kid. "Where is Lee anyhow?"

"I didn't think he would come anyhow, he can't drink and there is a girl he is interested in." explained Guy

"Really?" asked Kurenai as she blinked at the news that Lee was maybe dating someone. "Well it was bound to happen."

"Yes, if this woman is a full of youthful spirt as Lee then the future of this village will be bright in dead." Yelled Guy as Kurenai looked down solemnly, Guy blinked in confusion at her reaction. "What is it?"

"Tell me Guy how can the future of the village be bright when we have lost the best of the next generation?" inquired Kurenai as she finished her drink before ordering a shot from the barkeeper.

While Kurenai was having a shot to drown her sadness, Hanabi Hyuuga was all smiles as she enjoyed the first dance with her new husband. Almost all eyes were on her and no one was paying any mind to the woman who had personally arranged all the flowers decorated the area. She was currently fixing up a vase which had fallen over during the dinner.

"Lady Yamanaka?" asked a voice as she turned around to see a man dressed in strange cloths. He had chainmail under a padded vest.

"Yes?" asked Mrs. Yamanaka wondering who this man was, he had a black bird sewn onto his cloths.

"I am Lord Carac of the Land of Animals, are you the one who arranged these beautiful flowers?" asked the Lord as Mrs. Yamanaka nodded her head. "They are lovely; I think I have only seen one person anywhere near your equal in arranging flowers. I also saw you used blue roses on each of the table, I rather enjoyed those."

"Yes, what of it?" asked Mrs. Yamanaka

"Nothing, blue roses was my late wife's favorite," explained Lord Carac as Mrs. Yamanaka tilted her head at the remark wondering where this was going. "Forgive me, my lady I should get to the point. The leaders of my nation will soon get married as well, it is my hope that you provide the flowers."

"The land of Animals is thousands of miles away and…" started Mrs. Yamanaka as Lord Carac pulled out a business card.

"Please consider our offer, we have a list of flowers we would like." stated Lord Carac as Mrs. Yamanaka looked down at the card it was your standard business card with phone numbers and other contact information. She was about to throw it away when she decided to turn the card over and saw the list of flowers they would want, her eyes widened as she saw the names of the flowers. Not only was the flowers listed in the same way they would do it at the shop, by their location but there was the final flower name almost caused her to pass out.

"Sunshine spring Roses." read Mrs. Yamanaka as she remembered what Ino called sunflowers when she was a little girl. "Ino this is a message from my daughter, is she the leader of this nation."

"Wait." said Mrs. Yamanaka as Lord Carac stopped in his tracks and turned around and looked at the women's who mission it was to get out of the village alive.

"Yes, Lady Yamanaka." Replied Lord Carac

"I always wanted to gather some of the rare flowers down in the south." offered up Mrs. Yamanaka "Maybe I can discuss this job with your leaders at the same time."

"Very good, we are going to return to the Land of Animals in a couple of days you are welcomed to join us." confirmed Lord Carac as both of them smiled as the fireworks kept going off in the sky above them.

While fireworks where exploding over the Leaf village bathing the city in light far to the south the girls night out was coming toward an end as all of them stood to leave.

"We should do this more often." offered Ino as suddenly she grabbed her growing stomach

"What is it?" asked Sakura

"I…I think it is time." explained Ino with a smile of excitement and a note of fear in her voice.

"Wait isn't she due in a month?" asked Karui

"Two and a half weeks, but in our frame that is only about 10 days." explained Rin as she answered the question.

"Call Naruto, we are heading to the hospital," ordered Sakura to no one impartial as Sakura, Hinata lead Ino out the door and headed straight toward the hospital.

When Naruto got the call he was out the door before his drink hit the ground, however when he got there he found out the only he could do was wait. Time seamed to slow down as the minutes turned to hours but finally shortly after midnight, it was over and Naruto leaned on the bed beside Ino looking down at the mostly bald pinked skinned little person wrapped in a bright pink blanket. Ino smiled down at her daughter before handing her off to Naruto who held her gently in his arms rocking a bit as he stood up.

"Hello, Leilani." said Naruto to his daughter, her full name was Leilani Yamanaka Namikaze

"Are you going to keep her all to yourself?" asked Sakura as Naruto smiled before handing her off to Sakura who held her before passing her off to Hinata. Finally, Leilani returned to her mother who looked down at her with a smile.

Well I hope you liked this chapter even though it took a lot longer then I originally planned it to be. I hit a little bit of a writer's block where I couldn't decide what route I wanted to take to get to the next part of my story. Now part of the issue was that I was struck by some ideas for stories. I have posted the samples on my profile if you want to check them out. Now until next time which I promise will come a lot faster, please keep reading. Thanks Wilkins75