Disclaimer: I'm terrible at all types of fight scenes. I also don't own Naruto.

Shikamaru sighed in frustration, staring at the same Shogi board he'd been looking at for the last two hours. Nothing that he thought of could possibly fix the incredibly complicated situation Naruto and Hinata had put themselves in.

It was evident that battle would be upon them soon, with Naruto leading the charge. But a child? It put a wrench in everything. For once, the great genius was stumped.

"Shikamaru, what seems to trouble you? You've been staring at this shogi board for two hours. Care to share?" Shikaku Nara was Konoha's best and top strategist. There was never a problem he couldn't think or solve his way through. Whatever had been plaguing his sons mind, it must have been quite the dilemma.

Shikamaru groaned. He was basically sworn to secrecy. It would be improper for anyone to know of Naruto's situation until both him and Hinata come forward and explain it themselves.

He also knew his father. He wouldn't just leave the matter alone, either. Shikaku was as much nosy as he was smart, and for that Shikamaru was in a catch twenty two. But maybe he didn't have to tell him exactly who.

"Let's say, hypothetically, a girlfriend of an important teen ninja in the war were to become pregnant. We are in a time of war, and that particular ninja would now become a liability as well as a target and danger because of who the child's father is. Said ninja had then sought the advice of his really smart friend, who said he would need time to think of a solution, but has yet to come up with one. How do you get yourself out of this situation?"

Shikaku was taken aback. But the answer was simple. "It's actually very simple son. You don't. A child is not something that you can take back. This "child" is here to stay and all the ninja can do is work around the circumstances. The ninja in question will not only have to grow up quickly, but they must also learn to keep a cool and level head when in battle despite knowing there is a child on the way. They will have to fight like hell to protect what they have created. You tell Uzumaki that the Nara's will be here for Hinata if he needs us."

Shikamaru sputtered. "How did you know who I was talking about?"

Shikaku smirked. "Son, I'm not the top Intel adviser for nothing. What other important ninja is currently the target of the Akatsuki in the village, is a teen, and is essential to winning the war? Don't worry, your secret is safe with me. However, you tell Uzumaki he needs to have a serious talk with the Hokage. This cannot be a secret much longer."

Shikamaru nodded and stared at his shogi board once again.

"Up for a quick game, Dad?"

"Well I was hoping you'd ask, son!"

Tsunade rubbed her temples, a headache coming on by the minute.

The latest Intel report was not good. The Raikage not only wanted Sasuke's head for trying to capture his brother, the eight tails, but now Danzo was a concern.

It was frustrating.

She eyed the bottle of sake and cup on her desk and grabbed it quickly, shooting the whole thing in one gulp. She was too old for this job and wanted nothing more than to gamble the rest of her life away.

Then there was also the fact that one of her Kunoichi was pregnant and unable to even fight in the war, let alone the father who was essential to winning the war. It was all one huge mess.

She wished Jiraiya were still here.

The old pervert had to go and leave her, huh? Seemed to be that every man in her life was destined to leave in one way or another.

"Shizune!"

Rapid footsteps and a door opened up.

"Hai, Tsunade-Sama?"

"Assemble the other Kage. We need to have an emergency meeting. And ready the ANBU, we're going to start shipping out."

Shizune was shocked. She knew that things were bad and tensions were rising, however, to go to war this soon? She hadn't even thought about it.

"Tsunade-Sama are you sure?"

The Hokage nodded.

"Send for Naruto as well. He'll know what I am talking about. It's time he masters Kyubi's chakra. I want him to go to Mt. Myoboku stat."

"But, Hinata..." Tsunade sighed.

"She will be fine. She is a Kunoichi of Konoha. She knows where her duty lies. Hinata will do her best to protect their child as will Naruto. Please send for him."

Weeks had past since Hinata had broken the news to Naruto.

At first things were great, like a honeymoon stage. They both delighted in their pregnancy, imagining what it would be like to raise their son, who he would take after more, etc.

Hinata couldn't believe they were actually doing this, setting up the crib in Naruto's tiny bedroom after Naruto suggested it. Naruto was hunched over a bunch of wooden pieces, all in a disarray. A look of frustration was on his face.

Hinata sighed as she observed him reading the directions for assembly. Despite his reassurance of support, she couldn't help but feel a slight shift in their relationship.

It was becoming strained, acting like everything would workout and that they would deal with this baby. It was a small change, undetectable to an outsider, but to Hinata it was as if an earthquake had shattered their foundation. They were just two teenagers in love, enjoying the throws of passion. Now they were going to be parents.

Naruto had begun pulling away slightly. Whether on purpose or subconsciously she didn't know, but Naruto always seemed to avoid talking about their future. It felt like they were just playing house. Hinata felt Naruto was only doing these things BECAUSE of it being the right thing to do and not necessarily because he finds his own joy in the matter.

Don't get me wrong, Naruto has so much love for his child, it just wasn't an ideal time and they weren't ready for this. Hinata wasn't sure how much longer they could pretend their normality, but Hinata would have rather been rejected, then having to fake whatever this was.

Hinata herself wasn't ready, for anything. They'd just barely started their relationship six months ago and yet it feels like this is all too much. It's like a house of cards waiting to tumble.

They talked extensively about it after Hinata had initially broke the news, and things seemed okay the week after, but Hinata knew better.

They were not okay. Naruto was not okay. This whole situation was not okay and Hinata felt helpless. "Naruto-kun, maybe we should take a break? We don't have to do all these preparations right away."

Naruto sighed and put down the crib pieces. "You're right. We have been at this for a few hours. I'm starving!"

Hinata waved her boyfriend over to the kitchen, where she had a stir-fry waiting on the table accompanied by Shrimp Tempura. Naruto's mouth practically watered at the sight. He could never turn away Hinata's cooking. It was the best.

After a few minutes of comfortable silence, Hinata finally gathered her courage to broach the subject that had been on her mind as of late.

"How do you want to tell everyone the news?"

Naruto froze, chop stick poised in front of his open mouth. He blew out hot air, putting down the chop sticks. "Hinata I don't want to tell anyone who doesn't have to know. I want you to be safe and the more people who know, the easier it will be to target you should something leak."

Hinata frowned at the thought. He wanted to keep things a secret? "But Naruto-kun, when people see my stomach they're going to know we're expecting. Don't you want our friends to know?"

"Of course I do, Hinata-chan, but we can't take that risk. There is nothing about this situation that's typical. My enemies are too powerful, we can't take chances in a time of war. I talked with Shikamaru and Baa-chan about everything last week and I think it would be best for you to be away from the village for the rest of your pregnancy. We can't risk the Akatsuki finding out about you and our child. I can't loose the both of you. I can't take the risk of you being in Konoha should it come under attack, either. I also can't risk our child being anywhere near the front lines, if you are kidnapped and used against me, it's not just my life in the balance."

Hinata stood up from the table. She'd only been truly upset a few times in her life, but never at Naruto.

She was in disbelief.

"Is that why you've been distant all week? Because you didn't know how to tell me you're forcing me and our child into hiding? Naruto-kun I won't hide like a coward. I am a ninja!"

"But Hinata you don't understand! These men, the Akatsuki, they're brutal. You saw and fought against Pein. I can't let you jump in and save me again, especially when there is another life to protect. You will be heavily pregnant soon and you cannot use your chakra now as it is. I won't have you or our son taken away from me. This war is too dangerous. It's your duty first and foremost to protect our child. This decision is final."

Hinata knew Naruto was right. For once, he was making a logical and sound decision. She just felt hurt and frustrated about everything.

Most expectant mothers can have a happy pregnancy, taking joy in the fact they are expecting a child and sharing the good news with friends while they prepare for their arrival. They can be doted on by their loving husband.

The same couldn't be said for Hinata.

The father of her child would be off in the center of a Shinobi war and for the foreseeable future will not be present for the rest of the pregnancy. Hinata will have to carry out the rest of this on her own. She will have to give birth on her own and even raise their son on her own, for however long this war will take. It broke Hinata's heart, knowing that Naruto would not be there.

It hurt, and it sucked, and she knew she was silly to think up all these ideal fantasies, but she couldn't help it. She was carrying the child of the love of her life and she had finally attained his affection. It was hard not to relish in the fact. It was hard not to want the perfect, fairy tale life.

What Naruto said had resonated with Hinata. Your duty first and foremost is to protect our child.

She could feel tears start to fall down her cheek. She held back a sob with her left hand, leaning on the table for support, head down. "It's, it's not fair. It's not fair..."

Naruto immediately got up to comfort his girlfriend. He couldn't imagine how she must be feeling in all of this. For Naruto, he was the village hero and as such he was expected to play a huge part in the war. His priority had to not only be on Hinata and their son, but also on the lives of Konoha.

It was all too much in such a short amount of time. Naruto hardly felt like a teenager anymore. It seemed like so long ago when Team 7 would eat ramen together with Kakashi-Sensei. Times were much simpler back then.

"Hinata..."

"Do you want this, Naruto-kun?" The look in Hinata's eyes sent Naruto staggering. He'd never seen such a somber, desperate look in her beautiful eyes that glistened with tears. Did he want what? This life? This baby?

The short answer was yes, he absolutely wanted to build a family with Hinata someday. The long answer, however, was that he wanted it to be in a time of peace, when he was an adult and could financially support a family. He was technically still classified as a Gennin, and had the salary of one, even though he'd received a generous sum of money after the fight with Pein.

The whole situation was screwed up.

"I-I do Hina, it's just, it's just not a good time, ya know? I wanted this someday, I still want this someday, but right now we have to do what we can with what we have. Baa-chan thinks that this would be the best option. I want you and our child to be safe, 'ttebayo! This is the only way I know how to do that. I'm sorry that I've been so distant, I didn't mean to be. I just, I just needed to prepare."

Hinata quietly cried into Naruto's chest. This was all wrong. Wrong, wrong, wrong.

"So why did you suggest we set up the crib? Why did you suggest we prepare your bedroom and buy baby clothes when we won't even be here to use them? Naruto you have to be honest with me. We screwed this all up, but we're a team, and teammates don't pull away from each other, they come together in times of adversity. I mean, we...we don't even have a name picked out! We never even discussed it."

Naruto frowned, ruffling his blonde hair. His blue eyes closed in thought. He took a deep breath and opened them back up again.

"Hinata I know I didn't go about this the right way, and I'm sorry."

Hinata stared directly into Naruto's eye. She bit her lip, contemplating what to say next. She was so confused about everything. But before she could get a grip on her emotions, the words spilled out like vomit.

"I'm sorry? Is that all you can say? How can I believe you, when you've never even said I love you?" Hinata immediately regretted those words. She wished she could take them back, that the floor could just open up and swallow her whole.

The words slapped Naruto in the face, harshly. His shoulders tensed, his eye's widened, and suddenly he felt clammy. Love? Naruto wasn't even sure what love was. He knew he cared about Hinata more than his own life and would do anything for her, but was that love?

She was right, though. He never did say it back, did he?

Naruto stepped closer to Hinata, opening his mouth the respond. Hinata held up her hand, signaling that she didn't want to hear it.

A knock at the door surprised them both. Turning their attention to the door, a second knock was heard. Hinata deflated, no longer feeling anger, just sadness. She glanced towards Naruto, sorely regretful. Even so, she couldn't keep the bitter sting out of her voice.

"I'll pack the things I'll be needing for my...time away. I'll put away the crib parts, too. It looks like you're going to be summoned."

Naruto had his back turned to Hinata, he heard soft footsteps and the sound of the bedroom door shutting. Naruto, frazzled, opened the door. Two ANBU stood in front of him, fully garbed. Hinata had been right.

"Tsunade-Sama has sent for you. Meet her at the Hokage tower for your next mission."

Hinata and four other ANBU stepped quietly through the Konoha Gates. Garbed in a hooded, black cloak and ANBU mask, the Hyuga was virtually unrecognizable.

It was only a few days after their fight that Hinata would be sent to the secret hideout. In the dead of night, surrounded by the best of the best, her and their son made the dangerous trek.

She sighed and rubbed her belly under her cloak. Things with Naruto had been tense when he returned from the Hokage tower. They hardly spoke at all and certainly never broached the topic of their fight again.

Hinata held up well, saying goodbye and promising to protect their child. Naruto promised he would return to her, safe, and that after this was all over they would do things right. Whatever that meant, Hinata couldn't be sure, but she tried her hardest to remain tough.

It was only now, in the dead of night and behind her ANBU mask, did she allow her tears to fall freely, silently weeping into the dark expanse of the forest.

She loved Naruto so much. She loved their child so much. She loved them both so much and knew she had to be strong and do what was needed of her. After taking some time to think on their fight, she realized how immature and foolish she was acting. She'd said a lot of words she didn't mean and in turn hurt not only Naruto but herself as well.

But could you blame her? She was only sixteen after all and yet a young teen herself.

As she drew further and further away from Konoha, carrying their precious son, she could only hope that the damage hadn't already been done.

OOF.

3k words. A big chapter lol

So no time for celebrations and a little angst in the chapter huh? I tried to portray their young, teenage sides. Hinata being irrationally angry, Naruto only focusing on what's best and not necessarily how that effects their relationship. I am long past my teenage years so it's very hard to put myself back into the mindset of young, inexperienced teens who have a baby on the way.

It seems like these events are going to drastically alter things! This is where things will get exciting. Who will turn the tide for Naruto without Hinata on the front lines with him? Will Neji still sacrifice his life for Naruto? Will Naruto be able to master Kurama's chakra easier or more difficult with his mind occupied on his fight with Hinata?

Will Hinata give birth alone? How will Boruto come to get his name? How will these things change the course of history? It's so fun to see how you can put a new spin on canon. This is where things will basically be AU, as if this already wasn't AU enough lol.

Did you expect this story to take a turn already? Or did you expect more fluff? Can you guess how the future is going to play out?

Comment your feedback! I love to read your comments, they give me LIFE! Shit is about to get real. In a war, time is a luxury that unfortunately NaruHina do not have.