Hey, hey!

So first. On my story 'My Joy'. I had said I was posting chapter 4 Saturday. I don't know why I said that. I got mixed up with this story. I meant Sunday. I'm sorry!

Anyways. Last chapter the twins were 9 months, this chapter. They are turning one! So, Neji has been gone six months and this is the first reunion they've had since he left.

Enjoy the chapter!

"Sasuke. Don't mess this up."

That was all Naruto said to Sasuke as he continued to talk to the contractor. Sasuke was sitting on the couch holding Taifū while Taika was knocked out sleeping on Sasuke's leg. Sasuke was sitting in the living room and was silently fuming.

Naruto was in the kitchen and had a large blueprint laid out for their home reconstruction. It was in the making right now, so they stayed in Neji's home that he left for Hinata. She's been maintaining it and would use it for private meetings. She'd let Kakashi use it as he wanted. It was a nice home and Neji renovated it to fit his ninja and business lifestyle, so it was usable for everyone.

Plus the view of the Hokage mountain was breath taking. The balcony was right there facing it, giving a front row view. Sasuke could tell Naruto really liked this house. Him and Kakashi used it frequently for Hokage meetings that included all the Kages.

Right now. The Uzumaki-Uchiha family was staying here, since their home was the last to be remodeled in the Hyuga compound. Everything else was done. The Uchiha compound was rebuilt and merged in. All other homes remodeled. No cost to anyone, but the Hyuga clan leader. She wanted to do this for her clan.

It built moral and healed wounds.

"I think everything looks good sir. That last minute extra thing I added, please don't tell Lady Hinata. It's a surprise." The contractor smiled at Naruto and agreed. He rolled the blueprints up and left the house.

Naruto proceeded to go back to what he was doing. Getting his checklist in order for what to pick up this afternoon for the twins birthday party in the morning. "Neji will be here soon. It's his house, so he'll be staying here I'm sure. Behave Sasuke. I don't care what grudge you have in your head against Neji. He's here for the boys and Hinata."

Sasuke was mute. Meaning he didn't want to hear it. He was still going to do what he wanted to do.

Naruto rolled his eyes at Sasuke. He would put his head through a tree if Sasuke ruined this birthday party for their boys, or if he ruined Neji and Hinata's first encounter since him leaving. Naruto walked to the front door when he heard a knock and opened it to see Neji.

"Why knock? It's your house. You have a key."

Naruto smiled at Neji and he grinned in return. "I sensed Hinata wasn't here. So, I had to use the appropriate manners. It's good to see you Naruto."

Naruto smiled at him, because Neji did look good. Happier. Dressed for the occasion as always. Those white fancy robes that Neji and Hinata wore for business and travel. Neji kept his hair shaved the same. Pulled back and falling down his back. Half in a low ponytail that mixed with his hair in the back.

Naruto stepped to the side so Neji could walk in. "Where's Tenten? Ōchō-kun? I miss him."

Neji held in a laugh. Of course he did. Ōchō matched Naruto's energy. He wore Neji out. "Ōchō is with a cousin back at the compound. I just dropped him off, and Tenten is too pregnant right now to leave. She's due in another few weeks, so she stayed behind with family."

Sasuke rolled his eyes. So she didn't want to come. That's the hidden meaning in there.

Both of the boys were now sleeping. So Sasuke stood up to put them to bed in one of the spare rooms. He didn't say anything to Neji and just left. Naruto watched Sasuke leave and let out a sigh. Neji didn't look offended. He looked amused. He was used to Sasuke's behavior. He could tell Sasuke was focusing all of his energy in not talking or looking at him.

"He's mad at me Naruto. Isn't he?" Naruto scratched the back of his head and looked a bit uncomfortable.

"Don't worry. He'll get over it. He won't ruin his own kids party. It's just…Hinata ya know. It took a while to get her feeling okay again. It's not your fault because I get it. You had to better yourself Neji. We're all adults now. We all have our own priorities. You did the right thing. I mean look at ya! You would have said something rude or snapped at Sasuke a few months back."

Neji gave a small smile and shook his head amused. Naruto was such an optimistic person.

"Thanks. Tenten is stubborn like Sasuke. She…blames my family and Hinata included. It's been hard to get her to see Hinata wasn't trying to hurt me. I'm sure it's hard for Sasuke to see I didn't mean to hurt Hinata."

Naruto frowned slightly at hearing Tenten blamed Hinata. Blame her for what? She was being abused too. "I don't like to hear that about Tenten, but I guess I understand. She's been on your team since day one. She's seen you absolutely hate your family. Hinata included. Tenten came from the orphanage like me. She doesn't like rich people. This lifestyle we live now blows me and probably Tenten too. People like us don't like to play politics."

Naruto looked down at the living room table and saw the brochure they've been clinging on to. "Hey. Maybe Hinata and Tenten can bond some. We're going on vacation soon. For a month. At turtle island. Why don't you come, even if you can't come the whole time. Please come just to spend time with family."

Neji blinked at Naruto. This caught him off guard tremendously. "Vacation? Hinata…didn't say anything about a vacation. Especially one that long."

Naruto blinked now. Oh shit. The smile that was on his face immediately dropped and he stood there looking awkward.

Neji's slight frantic behavior was masked in a second. "It's fine. I'll talk to her later about it. A lot of things she can handle away from home anyways. Where is Hinata by the way?"

Naruto again was stuck. Is Hinata like, not talking to Neji or something? "She's on a mission. It's in the village, but she's working with Shikamaru. She uhh…she does missions again now."

Before Neji fully perfected his mask, Naruto had saw the crack. He heard it in Neji's voice when he spoke about the vacation. It was fear. Barely noticeable because Neji was a trained ninja, but Neji portrayed fear in that millisecond. The fact Hinata kept things from him. Wasn't talking to him.

It hurt Neji. He was terrified of losing Hinata.

Something told Naruto that even though Neji left. Uprooted and moved his family. It wasn't what Neji truly wanted, but Naruto remembered that night Neji came to talk to Hinata and exposed their secrets. Neji was in bad shape, so Naruto could see leaving was something needed for Neji and he was happy for him.

Naruto wondered if this was a permanent move or not though.

Honestly. Right at this time. Naruto was nervous if Neji came back to the village to permanently live. Hinata and Neji depended on each other way too much. In an unhealthy way. Someday it would be great to have Neji back, but now. When the two were still healing from their childhood trauma. Now is not the time.

Neji's blank mask was perfectly on now, so Naruto had no clue if Neji was angry or not. "Hmm. Interesting. I see you with a list Naruto." Said person let out a heavy sigh. This was getting so fucking awkward. "Yeah. I have to get some stuff for the birthday party in the morning. Do you want to go? We can pick up Ōchō on our way. You're staying here right?"

Neji paused for moment. "I don't know if that's a good idea Naruto." The hyper blonde shook his head, "No. No. You have to. Please. You're family. Like I get you're a Hyuga and staying at the compound is staying with family, but like. You're legit MY family Neji. You gotta stay here. In your freaking house that YOU paid for."

Neji's shoulders slumped. Showing that he was going to give in to Naruto. "Great! Come on. Run these errands with me. I could use the help."

Hinata walked into their temporary home with Shikamaru behind her. "I will make us tea. Please, make yourself at home."

Shikamaru chuckled at Hinata's formal politeness. The girl never cracked and was never rude. He sat in a chair at the island in the kitchen and leaned his elbow on the counter as his chin rested in his palm. "Thanks for filling in for Ino, Hinata. It's really interesting to see how you can be used as an interrogation method as well. Kakashi recommended you and I had no clue you were a walking lie detector. Kakashi's been hiding you from us."

Shikamaru wanted to say Naruto and Sasuke were hiding her, but he sensed Sasuke in one of the bedrooms. He did not have time for that.

Hinata blushed at the compliment. "I just wanted to help. Ino's been working on this project for a while with Obito. She's discovered so much already without me. You should be proud of her Shikamaru."

Shikamaru grinned as he thought about his spicy wife. "I am. She wanted to come back from maternity leave early for this, but I'm glad I convinced her to relax. She'll be back in three weeks. She can enjoy home life a little more. Besides, now that I know you can be another useful tool. The intel and interrogation squadron can use you and Ino."

Hinata proceeded to make her infamous chocolate tea that Naruto liked so much before she turned around and looked at Shikamaru a little shocked. "Me? Oh I hate to decline, but I have so many duties already Shikamaru."

Shikamaru shrugged his shoulders. "Yeah, but you like being a ninja. Politics is cool and all, but nothing beats doing your passion. That's why you accepted the mission to begin with. By the way, let Naruto and Sasuke know that your hand isn't broken. Just a slight sprang."

Hinata smiled at Shikamaru as she gave him his tea. "Obito still has much fire in him."

Shikamaru surveyed Hinata's fancy looking drink for a moment. "Yeah. You using your Byakugan to detect if he's lying or not and being able to drain his chakra was really helpful. We got a lot of intel from him. Plus he was less combative. Well…after you were able to get ahold of him and drain his chakra. Slight damage on your end, for a bigger reward."

He tapped his finger on the counter in thought, "Say. You draining someone's chakra. How does that feel for you? Do you feel different or anything?"

Hinata had a thoughtful look on her face as she was searching for the right words. "When I first tried it with Naruto-kun. I felt…very energetic and powerful. Almost unstoppable. I have tried it also in training with Sasuke-kun as well. It was more of an intense and burning feeling. With Obito, his chakra, it is somber. Burning like Sasuke's, but no intensity. He emits nothing but misery. Taking someone's chakra, you must have the mental mind frame to take on their burdens and desires."

Shikamaru slowly nodded his head. "Damn. I wonder if that's what Ino feels when she goes through people's minds. I always felt like it could…damage her in the long run if she came across the wrong person. I worry about you and Ino. You two strive to always be there for your men. You two push yourselves too hard. Maybe take a chapter from Neji's book Hinata. Relax a little. Do what makes you happy, but don't overwork yourself. I tell Ino this all the time."

Hinata smiled at this. Seeing how Shikamaru always backpedaled back to talk about Ino. How he was always worried for Ino, and stuck to his male chivalry persona that he was notorious for. Shikamaru was a good person with a genuine soul. Hinata loved that Ino found someone that could really love Ino for herself.

The two quiet people smiled at each other. Shikamaru took a sip of his tea and his smile got bigger, "Hey. This is really good!" Hinata sipped her own tea and smiled at the compliment. "I will have my report and findings in for Ino to look at, after the twins birthday party."

Shikamaru continued to sip the tea and gave Hinata a thumbs up. "We'll be there for the party. Ino loves Inojin as a baby, but I'm ready for him to get toddler age. The twins are at a tolerable age. They're not too dependent on you to entertain them."

Hinata smiled at this. "Are you in need of a break Shikamaru? You and Ino can drop baby Inojin off any time. I love children of all ages." Shikamaru chuckled and looked at Hinata amused. "That's right. You want a lot of kids. I forget. I just want two. Ino is fine with one, I have to convince her some way for one more."

Hinata finally laughed. Her and Shikamaru had many similarities.

She blinked a little when she felt Sasuke's chakra. He seemed a bit annoyed, he must be in the room taking a nap with the boys and they woke him. He hasn't come out yet.

Shikamaru finished his tea and stood up. "Thanks Hinata. That was really good. Spoil us at the party like that. Oh, Neji is in town right now huh? For the birthday party. How's he doing? Better?"

Shikamaru knew a little of Neji and Hinata's past. Neji and Shikamaru were close friends and Neji told Shikamaru a little bit of his history, and Shikamaru was a smart man. He figured what happened to Neji happened to Hinata.

Reason why he'd never feel bad for participating with the list.

Hinata nodded her head and smiled at the thought of her brother. "Yes. He's here. For the party. I try to give him space. I feel as if that might be what Neji wanted this whole time."

Shikamaru arched his brow at Hinata. He was silent, and he wanted to tell her that was the LAST thing Neji wanted.

Neji wanted Hinata to leave with him. Even Shikamaru could see that. Hinata is what brought Neji back to the village all those years ago. When Akatsuki kidnapped them.

Neji and Hinata had some weird twin connection that it felt odd not seeing them together. Shikamaru could tell it hurt both of them to be separated, but in a way it was good for them as well. Neji relied on Hinata too much and Hinata relied on Neji too much. They had to grow and learn to depend on their own families instead of just each other.

"Yeah. I doubt that was what Neji was aiming for Hinata, but I'll leave that to you two Hyuga powerhouses. I'll go home now. I want to give Ino some free time to take a hot bath or something."

Hinata smiled at Shikamaru's dedication for Ino. He was truly a family man. "Okay. I will see you tomorrow Shikamaru."

When Shikamaru opened the front door he saw Naruto, and Neji with his sleeping son Ōchō, approaching. He smiled at Naruto, who was holding Ōchō, and gave Neji a hug, even though his hands were full. "Hey man! Long time no see. I have to get going, but we'll catch up at the party tomorrow."

Neji returned the hug and nodded his head at Shikamaru. "Of course. Say hello to Ino and Inojin for me." Shikamaru gave him a thumbs up before he turned around and looked at Hinata. "Oi! Give it some thought Hinata. You and Ino could really do some damage working together. At least consider part time."

With that Shikamaru left and Naruto walked in the house completely confused. Neji came in just as lost and both looked at Hinata. "What was that about?" Neji asked this as he looked at Hinata.

Hinata didn't feel as if this was something that was a big deal. She shrugged her shoulders. "My mission today was to work with Shikamaru in intel and interrogation, while Ino is on maternity leave. I suppose others did not know about Hyuga's ability of detecting if one is being deceitful. In addition to my ability to drain chakra. Shikamaru asked if I could come back full time, but I declined."

Naruto blinked at this. Hinata would be requested a lot more now. He could tell. She couldn't decline all of them. "Oh man. I'm excited for you, and a little nervous. Don't overwhelm yourself Hinata. Still, part time wouldn't be a bad idea. You said you wanted to go back active."

Neji frowned at this. He looked at Hinata while she was cleaning the two cups that were used. She could sense his stare and turned around to look at him. Neji arched his brow at her and slightly tilted his head. Hinata looked at him confused a little and tilted her own head. After that the silent conversation ended. Neji went to take Ōchō from Naruto to put him to bed.

"I'll see you after I get Ōchō to bed Hinata. I'll be back."

Naruto looked at the two and watched Neji leave. Again with the silent communication between these two. It was something Naruto hated and found amusing at the same time.

He proceeded to take the items out the bags and placed the cake in the refrigerator. "You didn't tell Neji about the vacation. Or you going back active for missions."

Hinata dried the cups and put them away. She proceeded to help Naruto with the party supplies. Naruto eyed Hinata in her jonin uniform. It was traditional. The vest and ninja pants. Hinata wearing a black, long sleeve shirt under the vest. He liked the way Hinata looked in it.

Hinata hummed as she caught Naruto staring. A small smile on her face. "I want to give Neji space. I feel as if he left for a reason. I want to give him and Tenten space."

Tenten.

Ohh. She knew. Hinata knew Tenten was upset with her.

Naruto slowly nodded his head. "Tenten is resentful of you and Sasuke is resentful of Neji. Still, Tenten should have come. You are not the reason for what happened to you and Neji." Hinata smiled at Naruto. She walked over to him and cupped his cheeks as she boldly leaned up to kiss his lips.

She looked so relaxed. "Naruto. I honestly do not care. Tenten will have to come to terms with it. All I can do is love her from afar." Naruto looked down at Hinata and saw that she meant it. She's come a long way and she wasn't going to let people bring her down from her progression.

Naruto smiled in Hinata's hold and leaned over to kiss her again. He stopped when he noticed her bandaged hand. "What happened?"

Hinata looked at her wrapped up sprung wrist and let go of Naruto. She let Naruto hold her hand gently and study it. "Oh. The assignment was Uchiha Obito. Working on extracting more intel before the big summarized report. He's been hard for them to crack, considering how strong he is. When I first went in to drain his chakra, he grabbed one of my hands and tried to pull me towards him. It was rather rough and we tussled for a bit, but I regained control of the situation and was able to drain him correctly."

Naruto pouted at hearing this. However it seemed being out in the field again did in fact bring her some calmness. "Sasuke stayed in the room the whole time?" Naruto asked this to Hinata, just to see if Sasuke was really going to drag this. Hinata nodded her head. "Yes. He is still upset."

Speaking of which. Sasuke just walked out the bedroom the boys were in. "They're sleeping."

Naruto looked at Sasuke strangely. "They've been asleep this whole time?" Sasuke shook his head. "No. They woke up after you and Neji left. They just fell back to sleep after Shikamaru left. Right on time for their bedtime."

Basically Sasuke's been avoiding them all day. He would need some Hinata and Naruto time later.

"Would you like tea? Something to eat?" Hinata said this as she walked over to Sasuke and hugged him. He ignored the affection and took her hand that was wrapped up and looked at it. "Next time. Make sure you break something of his, since he wants to break something on you."

Sasuke finally hugged Hinata back and she pressed her head on his chest. "I'm sorry." Sasuke rolled his eyes at her apology. "You're too nice. Plus, I'm not hungry. While everyone was gone I made me and the boys a pretty big meal."

Hinata nodded her head. She pulled back and got on her tiptoes to be face to face with Sasuke. Well almost. Naruto and Sasuke were tall. Sasuke saw she wanted a kiss and gave her a quick peck. Nothing too serious. "Naruto invited Neji and his family on our trip."

Naruto sent Sasuke a heated look. Hinata turned and looked at Naruto. She didn't look angry, just surprised. "Oh. Really? Neji said okay?" Naruto scratched the back of his head a bit hesitant. "Eh. He said he'd talk to you about it." Again Hinata didn't react to this. "Oh. He must need more space."

Even Sasuke looked at Hinata weirdly. Where did she get this idea that Neji wanted 'space' from her. Naruto looked at Hinata and squinted his eyes. "I think you made that up in your head, so you could avoid him and not face more of your past memories."

"That sounds about right." Neji leaned against the wall near the entrance to the kitchen and living room area. He was dressed down into a white t-shirt and dark brown sweat pants. He had white socks on and looked directly at Hinata. She looked directly at him.

Soon Hinata turned and looked at Sasuke. "I will be back. I wanted to speak with Neji on the balcony." Sasuke had to stop himself from rolling his eyes again. How did they do that? He couldn't talk to Itachi like that. Hinata smiled at Sasuke and kissed his chin. Watching as a small blush dusted his cheeks from the attention being on him.

Naruto smirked at the scene as he watched Hinata and Neji walk to the balcony and shut the glass door. He started to follow Sasuke back to the bedroom the three shared. "I'm beginning to think they really are twins, and that Neji's birth certificate is a lie."

Hinata and Neji leaned on the balcony and watched the Hokage's monument. "You really picked a lovely house Neji. This view is amazing. Naruto loves it. Sasuke too, even though he won't admit it."

Neji smiled a little as he looked at the monument as well. Kakashi's face was up there. Soon Naruto's face would be up there. "Are you avoiding me? Don't lie."

Hinata smiled as she felt the wind blow and caress her cheeks. "I am giving you space Neji."

Neji chuckled at her clever answer, "Me going to another village was plenty of 'space' Hinata. You don't tell me things anymore. You handle all clan matters now, refusing my help. We only talk about the kids and the progress of the Hyuga clan in Amegakure. Nothing else. It frustrates Tenten even more because she thinks you're trying to be downright rotten."

Hinata still smiled. Not at all bothered with the conversation. "It sounds as if you miss me Neji." She was making light of the serious conversation. Neji knowing his sister, knew she was deflecting and avoiding conflict. She was trying not to snap, but in this situation, what they've been through, it was OKAY to snap. It was okay to show emotion.

At this point. Hinata was more of a Hyuga than him. "Hinata."

He finally faced her, while she still looked at the monuments. "You think I wouldn't miss my family here in Konoha? That this was easy for me? To up and leave because I needed a different environment for my mental. You've been listening to Sasuke way too much."

It was a light jab. Something to bring a spark into Hinata. She gripped the railings and looked at Neji. Still facing the monuments while giving Neji the side eye. "You listen to Tenten too much, to truly believe I am purposely trying to hurt you."

Hinata squared her jaw and looked down to the trees. "I am sorry. I adore Tenten greatly." Hinata wasn't someone that did jabs and low blows. It just wasn't in her. "Why…Why is she angry with me?"

Neji kept his eyes on Hinata. Waiting for her to finally show her true emotions. "Because you didn't come with us. She knew I really wanted you to come. I did beg you."

Hinata slowly shook her head. "Neji. Who was going to run the clan here? You wanted the Hyuga clan to uproot our life and leave. Our people have outside families here. Responsibilities."

Neji silently glared at Hinata. Not satisfied with what she was saying. He was healing, but he still had certain topics that triggered him. "Yes. I wanted that. It's better than rebuilding on the same toxic land and just repainting tainted walls."

Hinata snapped her head to Neji and he could see anger cross her face as she lifted a finger and pointed it in a warning manner to his face. Neji arched an amused brow at her. He wanted authenticity from her.

Hinata recoiled her finger and faced Neji. She relaxed her face and held her head high as she looked away from him. "Coming back may have been too soon for you brother. You truly hate it here. I'm sorry you feel this way. I don't want to trigger you."

Neji smirked at Hinata. Her nice-nasty way of getting back at his rude comment. "No. I'm fine with coming back. It's where I was raised. It's beautiful. Amegakure is beautiful as well. Ōchō loves it there. All the buildings and reconstruction is being done and everything looks good."

Hinata arched a brow at this. "Rebuilding on toxic land and painting over tainted walls." She looked down at the rails and frowned. "Again. I apologize for saying that."

Neji leaned over to Hinata's sights so she'd look at him. "You're not sorry. Hinata, look at me."

Hinata furrowed her brows together. "No." She didn't have to do what anyone said anymore. She wasn't a child. Neji was a visitor. He was here for the party and would be gone afterwards.

Neji slowly nodded his head. Looking at Hinata with patience. Hinata was stubborn and liked to pretend she didn't need certain people in her life. "Your father used to do that. Pretend people weren't important to him anymore after they hurt him. He pretended our grandfather wasn't alive. He was just space there. Someone to use when he needed him."

Hinata ran her hands through her hair. "Hiashi. He's not my father." Neji leaned his back on the rails and looked at Hinata amused as he folded his arms across his chest. "Another thing from the Uchiha."

"Neji!"

Hinata closed her eyes and gripped the rails. Her shoulders shook slightly and she laughed to cover her sob. Hinata was cracking up laughing at this point. Neji watched her. Waiting to see how'd she react after she was done pushing back her pain.

Hinata looked at Neji just as amused now. Her eyes low and calm again. "Yes. He's my father. My father that let us get hurt. I…couldn't even stomach being with my husbands because of our last conversation Neji. I couldn't stand their touches. I cannot do this with you. I cannot…"

Hinata shrugged her shoulders as she looked for a resolution. "Can we just pretend like we're okay? Be like before." Neji chuckled at this, "Of course not. Everyone knows now. If you're embarrassed, take in consideration how much I am. A man."

Hinata laid her head on the railing and closed her eyes. "They really ruined us…at least Hanabi is okay." Both ended up laughing. A genuine laugh. Neji looked at Hinata and sighed. "You don't trigger me Hinata. I wanted you to come with me, but you're hard headed and want to stay here. Fine. Don't kick me out of your world though. That is something me and you both cannot take."

Hinata nodded her head and looked at Neji. "We both are healing. I still have my days when I lock everyone out." Neji nodded his head. "I do as well."

Hinata sat up and inched closer to Neji. "You are my crutch. I depended on you to keep my secrets and emotions in check. Now I have to do it myself. It's better this way." Neji sighed and leaned some of his body weight on Hinata as she leaned her shoulder onto him. Hinata facing the monuments and Neji facing the glass door.

Always covering their blind spots. Even unintentionally.

"I hate to agree with you Hinata, but you're right. You were my crutch. I depended on you to help me keep the secrets in. You helped me be stronger and push through. I need to do that on my own. I felt like I owed you something because of how I treated you in the past."

Hinata hummed at this. "I felt like I owed you something because of how weak I was in the past. How your life was drained from you so early on by having the seal."

Hinata leaned her head on Neji's shoulder. "I…wonder why grandfather did what he did. To us. We will never know. We will never have Hiashi's answers either. They left us to figure life out all on our own. The world seems so big now."

Neji felt Hinata's hand close to him dangle down and he reached down and held her hand. "The world is ours Hinata. We're going to make it. Our loved ones, children, grandchildren…they will see the best of us. Not the old us. The bitter, angry and scared us."

The two went into a silence for a moment. Just listening to each other breathe. They were apart from one another now. Neji missed his sister and Hinata missed her brother. Neji rested his head on top of Hinata's. "So. There was trouble in paradise? Intimacy problems."

Hinata was glad Neji couldn't see her face, but she was sure he knew she grew flustered and blushed. "Brother. We don't have to discuss that."

"I had the same problem. I really broke down for a while in Amegakure. I'd say for about two months. Until Tenten couldn't take it anymore. Tenten doesn't cry. It's not her thing. I saw her fall apart over me being so detached. That was an eye opener for me. I really talked to her about everything. What triggered me. What bothered me. She…she took care of me. Of our family. I owe her everything."

Neji squeezed Hinata's hand as he thought about his wife. Hinata returned the hold and let out a deep sigh. "I-I couldn't have them touch me Neji. I pushed them away and when I finally saw the hurt on Naruto and Sasuke faces. It hurt me worse than when I said those awful things to them in the apartment. I…I owe them everything. Only the best of me."

They grew quiet again. Hinata turned around and faced Neji. A warm smile on her face even though her nose was red from holding back tears. "Please come on vacation with us Neji. You, Tenten and Ōchō-kun. Please."

Neji smiled at her. He saw Hinata get on her tiptoes and Neji met her and leaned his forehead against hers. "Okay. Only if you don't overdo yourself Hinata. Naruto and Sasuke let you run wild. I'm not here to keep you in check. Don't go around being some crazy vigilante again."

Both of them laughed. Neji leaned back and gave Hinata a hug. The two silently apologized to each other and vowed to do better.

When they got inside Neji went to bed. He told Hinata he'd help her make breakfast tomorrow and get ready for the party early. Since they are both early risers.

Hinata walked into the bedroom she shared with Naruto and Sasuke and tiredly started to remove her mission gear. She put her belongings up and went into the bathroom. Naruto was taking a bath and Sasuke was getting out of the shower. Naruto looked at Hinata and smiled. "You okay?"

Hinata had a towel wrapped around her frame as she looked at her husbands. She walked to the shower and started it. As she waited for it to get hot enough for her she looked at Naruto get out the bath tub. "Yes. I am fine. I discovered apparently me and Neji both experienced the same…umm…problems with our spouses. I can admit I was avoiding Neji. I was afraid that if we spoke again, I would end up detaching like I did last time. I have to realize in this situation I am not alone. Me and Neji both suffered. We both need support from our spouses and from one another."

Naruto whistled as he dried himself. He wrapped a towel around his waist and walked over to the double mirror near Sasuke. "Are you two sure you're not twins? That Neji's birth certificate wasn't faulty and that's another clan secret."

Hinata giggled as she went into the shower. Her body relaxing to the hot water. "I am positive. Me and Hanabi can communicate the same. She is just louder by nature. Me and Neji have the same personalities kind of. Well socially."

Sasuke finished brushing his teeth and washed his mouth out. "Did he talk about why his wife didn't come to visit her nephews." It wasn't a question. It was a jab. Naruto looked at Sasuke and rolled his eyes as he brushed his teeth.

Hinata was silent for a moment before she spoke. "Yes. Tenten blames me for Neji's breakdown. For not going with them. Leaving Neji alone when he needed me."

Naruto made a 'What the Fuck' face as he was brushing his teeth. Sasuke crossed his arms over his bare chest. A towel wrapped around his waist as well. Hinata chimed in before Sasuke spoke his dark thoughts. "It is fine. She can feel how she wants. Like Sasuke blames my brother. Tenten blames me."

Naruto finished washing his mouth out and wiped his face. "Doesn't make it right. It's not your fault…and it's not Neji's fault. You two just need time and help from people that love you."

Sasuke looked at Naruto. His arms still crossed over his chest. He gave Naruto a pointed look. "How admirable of you. Dobe." Naruto arched his brow at Sasuke. "Say it again."

"Please. Stop." Hinata turned off the shower and started to twist her hair to get the extra water out. She grabbed her towels and wrapped her hair and then her body. She walked towards the mirror and looked up at Sasuke. She could feel so much stress coming from him. "It's okay. I am okay."

Sasuke avoided her face for a moment. Hinata softly cupped his cheek and gently pulled his attention to her. He finally looked at her and let out a heavy sigh. "Why are you so kind?" Hinata smiled at him and leaned up to kiss his lips. When she pulled back she could see the concern in Sasuke's eyes. "We heard you yell. When you yelled Neji's name. Like you wanted him to stop saying something."

Hinata hummed at this. She proceeded to clean her face and start to put on her skin care. She had took her bandages off her healing hand and it was slightly purple and blue from the swelling. So she was moving a bit slow.

Naruto took out the blow dryer. He'd dry her hair since she was almost one handed at the moment. "Neji picks. He just wanted me to stop…shutting him out. I had this wall between us. I didn't want to react to what he was saying. I was scared. Scared that it was going to set me back to detach from things, however that wasn't the case. I felt better."

Sasuke watched as she finished applying lotion to her legs. She removed her towel and was fully nude as she applied it to the rest of her body. "Yes. So what did he say? I want to know what he said to get you that riled up."

Hinata finished applying her lotion and looked in the mirror as Naruto looked at her in the mirror as well, and started the blow dryer. He started to brush and gently blow dry her hair. Hinata closed her eyes in relaxation. "Neji was telling me about a trait I have. When I pretend someone that hurts me isn't in my life anymore. He said, that was something my father would do. I said Hiashi is not my father and he said, that what I said, was another idea Sasuke put in my head."

Naruto grinned at this. Oh man he knew Sasuke was steaming.

Hinata looked at Sasuke in the mirror. He looked at her in return. "I do not like people to disrespect Naruto and Sasuke. Neji knows that. He did it to get a reaction out of me. He hated Hiashi. He doesn't really care how I address him. We both spent some time making low blows at one another."

Hinata tapped her nails on the sink and looked to be in thought. "I didn't realize I was using Neji. To keep my secrets. Help keep my emotions in check. I…did not handle well when I realized Neji wanted to talk about our past. I was selfish and scared because for so long we agreed to keep it to ourselves forever. I honestly didn't realize I relied on Neji more than I did my husbands. It was scary noticing that. I felt very open when he left. He said he felt the same way."

Sasuke sat on the bathroom vanity and faced Hinata. Listening to everything she had to say. Naruto silently listening as he dried her hair. "He relied on me to never tell either. He knew I would take it to our graves. He relied on that. The fact that I always needed him in some way. Neji was always my protector. I kept his mind busy. Away from facing reality. I was his crutch. We were becoming toxic for one another by holding it all in."

Sasuke took Hinata's sore hand and rubbed it tenderly. Trying to push her aches away. "So you two think it's a good idea to be separated now?"

Naruto finished blow drying her hair and put the dryer away and waited for her answer. "Yes. We both agreed that some time apart is wise. It might be permanent or it might not be. We both agreed that our dependence on each other was affecting our relationships. Neji detached for two months and I did for three. We saw how we…ruined our loved ones and we knew we had to change. So we have been. Neji is very protective of Tenten and I am very protective of Naruto and Sasuke."

Naruto smiled at this. It sounded like a good pow wow. They needed it.

Hinata made an 'oh' face as she walked out the bathroom to put her clothes on. "Neji said he wants to go on the vacation. With Tenten, Ōchō-kun and my future niece." She looked so excited about this. "It will be an experience. I…want to really thank you both for planning this and inviting Neji. Thank you."

Time for new memories.

So, I enjoyed this chapter because I enjoy writing the family relationship of Neji and Hinata. That even though he is far away, he would always look out for her. They both agree they need space for now, but at the end of the day they are family.

Sasuke and Neji will have a pow wow soon. Neji will only let Sasuke act this way around him but for so long. Hinata and Tenten will have a pow wow as well. Family vacations are meant to be messy!

I love how Naruto has taken over as the head honcho of the relationship. I always back peddle to the beginning of NaruHinaSasu starting the relationship in this story. How Naruto followed Sasuke's every direction and needed Sasuke and Hinata to help keep his emotions in check. Now, Hinata and Sasuke rely on Naruto. Kind of shows Naruto's growth. Sasuke in my opinion, in this story, still plays as a 'final sayer'. Last chapter showing that Naruto and Hinata were waiting for him to return for the final decision on things.

Hinata's growth is always my main focus. Nearing the end of the story, and Hinata has been amazing on her sobriety journey. She has her family. Has her love she's craved. Her secrets are out. My girl is living.

*Hint, hint*

Well, I hope you all enjoyed the chapter. See you Wednesday!