Neji had been on Team Guy for years. Unlike others his age, who went on separate missions, and formed new teams, his team had stuck together. If someone had told his twelve-year-old self that nearly a decade later he would still be on this team, he might have quit being shinobi altogether. Lee and Guy sensei had irritated him so much, but over the years he'd come to appreciate them, and now faced with the prospect of separating from them, he was a little sad. But he had to work in the village for the next few months, so he would be here, and be strong enough, to share his chakra with Naruto.
He'd cleared it with the mission board already, and had requested that he be the one to break the news to his teammates.
He'd decided to treat them all to dinner at a favourite restaurant. He'd invited Naruto along too, but he'd declined, saying that he wanted to give Neji some time with his team, and use the time too, to go see his own sensei to tell him the news.
When they'd all sat down, Neji ordered some good sake and the best non-alcoholic wine for Lee. When the bottles arrived, Neji poured for his teammates and Tenten poured for him.
Looking around the table, he felt very fortunate. At first glance Lee and Guy were slightly ridiculous, but they were fierce fighters and incredibly loyal, and he couldn't have asked for a better comrade or friend than Tenten.
I truly am going to miss them.
"I have something to tell you all," Neji announced. "Naruto's pregnant. I'm going to be a father."
Bright smiles bloomed on all their faces. They're happy for me.
"Neji! That's wonderful news!" Lee exclaimed. "I'm going to be an uncle! Hear that Tenten?! You're going to be an aunty! And what about you Guy sensei! What do you think about being a grandfather?!" Lee declared with delight.
Neji had just meant to inform them about the logistical side of what a child meant for him, not endow the child with an entire extended family.
"Lee, I'm not sure..."
But when Lee looked at him with those shining eyes, he couldn't do it, couldn't wound or disappoint him. And Neji realised in that moment that he didn't want to. Lee really had been like a brother to him through all these years, so why shouldn't he be an uncle? The same went for Tenten and Guy sensei. These three people were the ones who had shared most of his life, and as far as Neji was concerned, bloodlines didn't necessarily make people family, not in the way that fighting for your life side by side with them did. If his child felt the happiness, security, and support, that he did with them, then that was already a much better start than he'd had in life.
"Yes, Guy sensei," Neji allowed with a wink at Lee. "Would you prefer to be called grandfather or jiji?"
"Come on now," Guy returned. "I hardly think I'm old enough to be considered a grandfather."
"Jiji it is then," Neji decided.
"What? I didn't mean... Oh never mind. Jiji is fine."
"I thought so," Neji smiled.
"Have you thought of any names yet, Neji?" Tenten asked. "Do you know if it's a boy or a girl?"
"Not yet. And as for names, I'll have to see what Naruto thinks."
They chatted all things baby as they ate their meal. There was so much to consider, so many things to organise, and lots to look forward to as well.
"Wait a minute, Neji. Why are you paying for dinner?" Guy sensei questioned. "We should be treating you."
"Yes, well that's the thing, there's something else I need to tell you all. Until Naruto has the child, and perhaps for a little while after, I'm being assigned to work in the village. I need to be here for him, which means I can't go out on high rank missions."
"So, you are saying we can't leave the village for a while?" Lee checked.
"No," Tenten answered for him. "He's saying that he isn't part of our team anymore. Isn't that right, Neji?"
It sounded so harsh when she said it like that, and all three of his teammates gave him heartbroken looks.
"It's not forever," he hastened to clarify. "I'll be back with you all in less than a year."
"But Neji," Lee said. "We rely so much on your byakugan. How can we succeed at missions without you?"
"I'm sorry, Lee. Naruto needs me now. Perhaps Hinata or Hanabi might substitute for me?"
Lee's lip began to wobble. Guy laid a hand on Lee's shoulder and turned to Neji.
"It's not just about the byakugan, Neji."
"I know," Neji acknowledged. "I'll miss you all too."
"Really?" Lee said, eyes glistening.
"Of course, Lee. I'm not breaking up the best squad in village lightly. There are only two people in the entire world I'd put before you three and that's what I've done. I hope you get the chance to understand how that feels one day. All of you. I'd like to see you all as happy as I am."
"Well," Guy said. "We can't argue with that."
"Perhaps dessert will soften the blow?" Neji suggested. "What'll you all have?"
There was a beat of silence in which they all took a collective breath to recompose themselves, and then they started arguing over which dessert options were best. Neji smiled to himself. It's true. I couldn't have asked for better teammates, or for better friends.
x
"Kakashi sensei, want to get dinner with me?"
"Sure. Ichiraku's?"
"No. Not ramen. Somewhere with steamed vegetables."
"Vegetables? Naruto, are you feeling alright?"
"Yeah, I'm great."
"Uh-huh..." Kakashi said, sounding unsure and lifting his headband to reveal his sharingan eye.
"What are you doing?" Naruto frowned.
"Just checking it's really you. A ninja can't be too careful after all."
"It's me! I just... Well you've spoiled it now. So, I'm pregnant. I wanted to tell you at dinner."
"Oh wow. Okay. So you really did it, huh?"
"Yes. Did you think I wouldn't?"
Kakashi shrugged.
"There's no precedent. But I guess you never did fit the mould. Congratulations, Naruto. It's great news."
Naruto grinned.
"You can buy me dinner to celebrate! And make sure you bring enough money, sensei! I'm eating for two now! Hehe…"
x
The lights were off by the time Neji got home, so he just slipped his clothes off and slid into bed beside Naruto.
"How'd it go?" Naruto murmured, snuggling into Neji's side.
"They understand. You?"
"All good," Naruto sighed, immediately falling asleep again, snoring softly.
Neji pressed a soft kiss to Naruto's temple, once again grateful for all the amazing people he had in his life.
AN: So yeah, Kakashi still has his sharingan just because I think he's cooler that way.