Naruto leaves early in the morning. Between his increasing training and the still ongoing tension regarding the attacks, he doesn't have much time to spare. People seek him and Naruto is barely enough to appease their worries.

Hinata usually stirs as soon as he begins to leave the bed -taking his warmth with him-, but Naruto kisses her face until she falls asleep again. Or at least until she pretends to, the few times she tried to wake with him, Naruto had been adamant into letting her sleep till late.

"Listen," he had been serious, his hand on her arms, "even if you weren't pregnant I wouldn't want you to wake at the crack of dawn. I mean, there's nothing to do at this ungodly hour," he had cackled, but Hinata knew and so he approached her by targeting her feelings, "I want you to take care of yourself, all right?" his hand to her stomach, "for our baby, please?"

How could she deny him?

"Also, even if you weren't pregnant this are dumb hours to be awake."

"You are a-awake."

"Doesn't make it any less dumb, darling."

So she sleeps. And when Naruto prepares to leave their room she stirs to get a kiss from him and stops moving to let him leave with peace of mind. She struggled to fall asleep at first, but now it's easier. She's more tired, too.

And although she hears and sees things around her, she keeps them at bay. Naruto shares with her all the information he has, so she knows everything that is happening. But at long last, something she has learned from being her father's daughter comes in handy.

She listens, learns, and then keeps on with her life. Of course, now there are no comments regarding her inability to help, nor mean-spirited remarks regarding her lack of power, so it is easier to keep herself focused. Infinitely easier.

Naruto is almost back to normal, strength-wise, and he's beginning to practice fighting enemies without looking at their eyes. An Uchiha countermeasure. He says it's fun and Hinata can see the tinkle in his eyes that corroborate his words, but… she wishes he didn't have to.

The freed Tailed Beasts are sealed already too, not in a human vessel, but at least hidden and away for any greedy hand that could want them.

Or for an Uchiha to find.

Naruto had been worried at first, about any attack that could happen brought by this unsteady situation with the Beast Tamers, and although Shikamaru had checked and revised time and time again the clan's defenses, Hinata could sometimes feel his fear in the way his arms would lock around her.

The return of his strength has done wonders to keep him calm.

That and the good news regarding her pregnancy.

Hinata has safely entered her second trimester and although she is more confined than before, she is happy. Kiba likes to joke around and mocks Naruto's need to keep her under surveillance, but Hinata understands it's his way to make her feel more at ease with this situation. He knows. She knows. Everyone does. Shikamaru -when he is the one to accompany her on her walks- makes sure to share with her their measures against intruders, the patrols they have put in place, the guards he and Naruto have placed around her.

She can tell people worry she may be anxious about her situation, as she is pregnant with the clan leader's child. And she is worried about the situation, but she can't help but worry more about another topic that seems to never be able to leave her alone, that comes back at all times, that leaves her staring at nothing in the night. That leaves her gasping for air, now more than ever, now that she wishes for a happy life with Naruto like never before.

She can't help but think about her husband. About her husband and his lifespan, about her husband and his training, about her husband and the expectations placed upon him, about her husband and the way he seems too eager to push himself to his limits.

About all these trials that seem to come one after the other without rest.

He is more nervous, too. He hides it well, but he comes see her more frequently, and although he tries to seem nonchalant, the way his shoulders relax when he lays eyes on her, the way he sighs when he hugs her... Hinata understands. Naruto is inside the clan at all times now, she can see him every day, lay with him just as much, and she can't seem to escape the want of staying right next to him as much as possible.

She has to busy herself with little chores throughout the day to keep her thoughts at bay. The worst thing she can do is keep herself alone and holed up, so she talks, seeks people, walks, and annoys Sakura with questions regarding her body.

So she oftentimes walks. Always with a guard, usually with Sai, Kiba or Shino. Sometimes Sakura or Ino if their work allows.

This time, she can't find anyone, so she looks around. Sometimes Shikamaru comes finds her. Lord Minato and Lady Mito are as busy as Naruto, but they make time too. And yet, this day, she sees no one.

She walks absent-mindedly, thinks about how she's been spending more time than ever before with her cousin, and yet can't remember having a proper conversation with him. Naruto is always there and Neji does his work with professionalism before leaving as fast as he arrives.

As if he was avoiding them.

Her.

Hinata doesn't really know what comes over her, but her legs move without thinking and she finds herself right outside of Neji's room. He has his sliding door wide open and he's writing a letter. He hasn't noticed her, or if he has he has decided to ignore her.

The familiarity of this situation makes her doubt, but then she takes a step forward and Neji turns around.

"Lady Hinata." He looks taken aback, so Hinata surmises that he did not, in fact, notice her before. But now he looks expectant and Hinata should say something.

"I- I-," Neji triggers her stutter and her embarrassment grows as the words struggle to come out. "I c-can't find S-Sai," or anybody else for that matter, but if she were to list everyone's names, Neji could finish three letters before she finished her sentence, "and I w-wish to take a s-stroll."

Neji stands immediately, "Of course," he says and walks to her. Not a second look to whatever he was doing.

"Y-your letter-"

"I will finish when we come back, Lady Hinata. Let us go."

Consideration or anger? Hinata can't tell. She has never been able to tell.

Neji walks a step behind her, and remains silent. Just like when he would accompany her at the Hyuga compound.

Hinata convinces herself this is nothing more than her want to talk with someone -as she has grown used to it with her usual guards-, and not the desperate need to have some sort of connection with her cousin, who seemed ready to throw her away without a second thought so long ago.

Hinata still doesn't know what to make of it. Consideration or disgust?

Consideration or revenge? For being such a poor fit to remain as heiress to the clan?

Her mouth is dry and she wonders whether Neji will listen, whether he will turn and leave her here when she annoys him too much. She knows he won't, Naruto would have made sure of that.

So maybe he is forced to stay with her and listen and protect her and so she can talk -or try- and make him listen and stay and protect her. She doesn't want to admit that deep inside of her she wants a relationship with her cousin.

With the only person who seemed to care for her when they were children.

Duty or familial love?

She never knew.

She gathers her courage and makes as if admiring a patch of flowers.

"Y-your l-letter, I am sorry I i-interrupted you."

"Oh, no. Please do not worry, it is not an urgent letter at all, rest assured."

And silence returns as if they never talked. Neji is closer now, as he had to crouch to listen. Hinata waits a second, and another, thinking that maybe Neji will get the hint and keep the conversation flowing.

But maybe he is as clueless as her, or maybe he doesn't want to. She turns her head to him, trying to read his intentions for once in her life. But Neji rests his gaze on her, immutable, barely moving his body, and Hinata turns around with more questions than before.

As if that were possible.

Neji struggles to understand what Lady Hinata wants from him. A servant, for sure, a guard next, but a conversation partner? Him?

He has seen her taking her strolls with numerous people before. Many a day. Smiling and talking like he has never seen her before. Laughing, even. Sai, of course, with whom she shares calm conversations guided by Sai's questions about everyday life. Kiba, who seems eager to spend time with her -something about her laughing at his jokes, Neji heard once-. Shino, who's aura seems so similar to hers that you can barely hear their conversations as they walk around. Sakura and Ino, whose energy is always high up, and although one would think their friendship would be somewhat strained, Lady Hinata's laugh is always the biggest with them. Shikamaru, even, who seems to enjoy her knowledge about other clans.

Lady Minato and Lady Mito, who find time in their busy schedules to talk to her.

Lord Naruto, who runs after a meeting or training to steal a peck, making her blush, and leaves with the same haste.

And then... him? A man from the Hyuga clan who can't bring himself to talk to her in fear of saying something he shouldn't?

His very existence is tied to the worst part of hers. As such, he ought to shrivel down , far away. Hopefully like her own memories about that place.

He has been asked today because everyone else is unavailable. Not because she sought his company.

So he walks a step behind, like a guard should. And remains quiet, because… what can he say that won't sound wrong?

And then Lady Hinata speaks to him. And then looks at him in earnest. As if expecting something. And Neji is at a loss.

He wonders about topics he can share that won't sour her mood. And the only one that comes to mind, that hasn't been tainted by the Hyuga, leaves his mouth.

"The letter, uh, it's for a friend I made while living here."

"A… f-friend?"

Yes, it's surprising for him, too.

"Yes, a friend. Back when, uh, well, I was to be taken back to the Hyuga but Lord Naruto let me stay here in the end, I was given a house in the outer compound, as well as money for my expenses, and well… I lived there on my own and tried not to bother anyone else. She just found me and started to visit and make me help her with her shop."

"Oh…" Hinata wants to ask, ask so many questions she knows will only burden him, so her eyes flutter around, unable to press on and yet grabbing on this chance to-

"She- her name is Tenten, a bit weird, but means well. She introduced me to a friend of hers, too, Rock Lee," Hinata raises her eyebrows at the name and Neji shrugs, "I know, he's even weirder, but also means well."

Somehow, as they walk, Neji shares more of his life on the outer compound, and Hinata feels the wall between them disappear. He remains silent sometimes, as if gathering his thoughts, but Hinata waits. Waits as much as necessary, because she feels this opportunity has taken them so long.

So very long.

She can wait for him.

When Neji leaves her in her room, as he starts to retreat, robotics movements like Hinata has never seen before, Hinata stops him.

"I would… I would l-like it if y-you could accompany me some o-other day, too."

This time it's easier to voice her wishes, because she thinks… believes, that maybe Neji is just as awkward at this as she is.

He doesn't smile. He doesn't nod, either. He looks at her and before leaving just whispers, "Of course. As Lady Hinata…" then he ventures, "as you wish."

And Hinata gifts him the first genuine smile directed at him in a decade.

⁂⁂⁂

Naruto's godfather arrives a month and a half later than he promised Minato. With little fanfare.

Naruto is walking to his next appointment when the sound of feet running around catches his attention. In the distance he sees the long white hair of Jiraiya, billowing as he walks down the hallways surrounded by flustered servants who don't know whether to announce his arrival or make him comfortable. Shikamaru just shrugs before he keeps on walking. "I'll take this one alone, then. I'll see you after to report."

Naruto scoffs but turns around and trots to meet his godfather.

"Old man!" He bellows, enough to make a few heads turn his way.

Jiraiya raises his hand in greeting and then makes a beeline to Naruto. They are practically the same height, with Naruto standing taller by mere inches -a point that has been the source of many scrambles throughout the years- and Naruto has to hit Jiraiya's back to let him breathe.

"Well," Jiraiya gives him a once-over and then frowns, "I was told you were dying."

"When have I not been, though?"

They laugh and slap each other's shoulders in good humor. Minato hates this type of banter. Hates how they trivialize Naruto's situation by making light of his struggles.

Naruto thinks his godfather's attitude has saved his life more than once.

"You'll have to check my seal with dad, but aside from that, I don't think you'll do much."

"Hey, you smell that?"

"What?"

"I smell a nonja."

"Ha ha."

"A nonja business!" Jiraiya slaps Naruto's arm as if his godson didn't just realize his whole joke before he said it. "Come on, don't tell me what my job is, child. I don't go round the world just to come back empty handed now, do I?"

Naruto stares at him, brows raised. And Jiraiya opens his arms with a shocked face, "Not all the time," he defends himself.

A lackluster defense, obviously, as Naruto still has the same problems he has had since… forever.

"No, I mean it. The thing you always tell me to wait to be completed before bringing it with your dad? Done, my man."

Naruto startles. Funny. Now of all times. That.

He says nothing though, and Jiraiya takes it as rejection. "You know I've got to tell your dad, son."

"Sure, do whatever." Naruto raises his hand and waves it around as if he couldn't care less, "I'll present my wife to you, come on."

"You made me keep quiet because it was a gamble, but now it is real, Naruto."

"I know, jeez, just come. You can tell whoever you want."

"I met my medic friend on the way back, she helped me, I'm serious."

"The gambler?"

"Yes. Lost everything to me, then made her help me with this in exchange for her money back."

"Well, that seems reasonable." Naruto remembers the stories Jiraiya used to tell him about his friend, a gambler with no sense of morality and non-existant luck. "You got what you wanted."

"Ha! That's what I offered, son, she took all her money back and then mine in order for her to help me. You know she has, like, no ethics."

"Is that why you got here later than late? I could have died."

Jiraiya squints his eyes, "Come on, you? Dying because someone messed with your seal? A seal made by me and the current master in seals, Minato Uzumaki? I mean, you will die for other reasons, but not because of your seal."

"Dad worries this took more years off my life."

Jiraiya rests his hand on Naruto's shoulders, "Well, then, I think you will be happy to hear what I have to say."

Jiraiya expects Naruto to ask questions, but he bolts the second after. Jiraiya stares as a dark haired woman appears one second and disappears the other in between Naruto's arms.

She is pregnant.

Naruto's wife is pregnant.

And now Jiraiya feels like he wants to cry.

Naruto intertwines his wife's arm with his and then walks to Jiraiya. Slow, careful, with a beam Jiraiya has never seen before.

"Jiraiya," Naruto presents, pride in his voice, "My wife, Hinata."

The child looks at him with blushing cheeks. One hand grasps tightly the clothes around Naruto's arm, the other rests at her abdomen, where her stomach bulges. She stutters and she presents herself, and her eyes shine the moment they return to Naruto.

"She is pregnant," Naruto shares, "five months and a half." His hand rests over hers now and Jiraiya has to bite down the tremble in his voice.

It is always in moments like this that he wishes he could do more for his godson.

Hello, everyone!
The No lies chapter is really living up to its name, people, even I'm surprised.
Next, we'll have Naruto facing against his family regarding Jiraiya's new info!

See you next week! Take care and have a good one!