Neji sat with his back against a tree trunk, Naruto using his thigh as a pillow. The air was crisp and clean, the grass green, and the nearby stream flowed clear. It was a beautiful day for so many reasons.

With one hand Neji held a book, it was one Sakura had loaned him with information on pregnancy, while his other hand rhythmically stroked Naruto's hair.

Neji had the day off, so they'd come out here to relax. Things always felt better in the forest. It was where their romance had begun.

"Neji?"

"Hmm?"

"Put the book down."

"I just want to finish this chapter…" It was one about possible complications that may arise, so it was important.

"Neji…"

He's right. Being together is more important.

"Okay."

He sat the book aside and focused all his attention on Naruto. Though he looked different on the outside, the same fire still burned in his eyes, and Neji smiled down at him.

"What?" Naruto questioned, his own mouth curling into a little smile.

"Nothing in particular," Neji said, touching the tip of Naruto's nose. "I just love you so very much."

Naruto's smile widened.

"Me too."

Naruto stretched up and Neji leaned down so they could share a kiss.

"Are you ready for chakra now?"

"Uh-huh."

They had settled into a routine in which Neji gave Naruto chakra each afternoon. When Naruto rested at night it gave his body a chance to rebuild chakra which could get him through most of the day, and then Neji topped up his supply in the afternoons to get him through to bedtime.

Neji laid his palm on Naruto's chest and summoned the chakra he needed. He also activated his byakugan which used some chakra, but helped him focus. And besides that, he liked to watch the way their charkas intwined, the way Naruto's flared when his own was added to it.

He focused his energy and sent his charka into Naruto, watching the flow, watching as Naruto's energy level increased. He watched it move through him, spreading out from his chest, down his arms, and spreading lower too. It swirled around the baby like usual, but then something different happened, something new and amazing.

"Oh…"

"What is it?" Naruto asked.

Neji refocused, making sure what he thought was happening was true.

"The baby, he's absorbing my chakra too. Responding to it. He's so full of life, Naruto. He knows us."

"He?"

"Yes, I think so. His lower chakra points are brighter. Do you feel him reacting?"

Naruto concentrated.

"Yeah, he's moving. Hey! He just kicked me."

"Actually, it was a punch."

"So much for gentle fist…"

Neji laughed and blinked the byakugan away, smiling down at Naruto.

"Was that your first dad joke?"

"Hehe," Naruto blushed.

"He already knows he's part of our family, Naruto. I can't wait to meet him."

Naruto's hand wandered down to rest over his belly.

"Neji, do you think I'll be a good dad?"

Neji knew Naruto didn't ask the question lightly, he'd never had parents to raise him so of course it would be scary for him to think of becoming a parent himself.

"If you raise our child as passionately as you do everything else, no one could be a better father than you."