Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto (either manga or anime!); the wonderful Masashi Kishimoto-sensei owns all rights. However, the plot and Namiko Uzumaki are mine!

Chapter 52: Rebuilding

A delicate, yet repetitive sneeze sounded in the Uchiha living room causing Namiko to burst into a fit of giggles. "Sorry, Hinata! I warned you that it was dusty in here."

"I'm okay—" another sneeze interrupted Hinata, "I mean, most of Konoha is dusty after Pain's attack."

"True, but this house wasn't touched in over eight years before all that," said Namiko as she set down the damp cloth on a nearby shelf. "I'm just thankful it's in good enough condition to live in."

Kurenai smiled at her former student. "So, you're really going to move in with Sasuke?"

Namiko bit her lip nervously and immediately started nervously scrubbing at a spot on the shelf. "It's the right thing, right? We're going to be parents. We're in a stable, loving relationship. Plus, we've basically been living together since May anyhow…"

"I wasn't saying you shouldn't. Though I feel like there's a 'but' coming," prompted Kurenai.

"But…" Namiko turned to face the two women and groaned slightly. "Sasuke and I completely went out of order. Call me old-fashioned, but I always thought I'd be married for a year or two before having kids. And here I am about to have twins in about six months and I'm not married let alone not technically old enough to be considered an 'adult'."

"You are an adult by shinobi standards, but I can still understand where you're coming from," explained Kurenai with a compassionate glance.

Hinata gave a thoughtful nod and spoke softly, "I've always imagined it that way too, you know? Marriage first…then kids. But life doesn't always go the way we expect. Don't beat yourself up about it."

Namiko let out a sigh, her shoulders slumping slightly. "Yeah…I guess I just didn't picture things turning out this way. Don't get me wrong—I love Sasuke, and I'm anxious to meet our babies, but…there's a part of me that feels like we're just playing house." She rested her hand on her stomach absentmindedly, her expression filled with uncertainty.

Kurenai reached out and gently placed a hand on Namiko's arm. "I wouldn't say you're 'playing house'; things just didn't go the traditional route. And Sasuke doesn't seem like he's exactly one for tradition," she added with a teasing smile. She gave Namiko's arm a quick squeeze before letting go. "The most important thing is that you two love each other and you love your children…that's what matters above everything else."

Namiko smiled gratefully at her mentor, but her mind was still churning. "It's just…I wonder if Sasuke feels the same. I know he's committed and loves me, but we've never talked about getting married. Not really."

Hinata perked up. "What do you mean by 'not really'? Has he said anything about marriage?"

"Well, one time I was wearing his shirt, and when I offered to…" Namiko's face flushed bright red at the memory as she continued, "Uh…change clothes…he told me to keep it on because he liked seeing me in his clan crest and maybe he could make it my permanent crest one day…"

"For Sasuke, that's basically a proposal," said Kurenai, hiding a chuckle behind her hand.

Namiko rolled her eyes and sighed heavily. "But that was months ago! He's probably forgotten that heeven said it."

Kurenai shook her head. "I highly doubt that. Sasuke isn't the type to say things he doesn't mean. He's always been careful with his words, and if he said something like that, it was his way of telling you how serious he is."

Namiko looked down at her slightly curved belly, placing both hands over it. "I just wish I knew for sure. I'm already committed to him in every way that matters, but a part of me wants that…official reassurance. Not just for me, but for the babies too." She sighed, brushing a loose strand of hair out of her face. "But maybe I'm just being silly…"

Kurenai shook her head, her voice gentle but firm. "It's not silly to want that. You're allowed to want both love and security—especially now that you're going to be a mother. Speaking of, how have you been doing?"

"I'm trying to take it little by little," Namiko replied, her posture relaxing slightly. "I'm coming more to terms with the idea. Morning sickness is starting to fade. But I feel so bloated all the time like I just ate half a dozen onigiri and have a massive food baby, then I remind myself it's two real babies and I'm only going to get bigger," she groaned.

"Don't be surprised if you show sooner than I did, probably in a week or two. You're younger and more petite than me, plus you have two babies in there whereas I only have Mirai. I didn't show until I was about eighteen weeks pregnant," said Kurenai as she patted the side of her stomach. "How's Sasuke handling things?"

Namiko tilted her head thoughtfully. "Protective and hovering, but he's been so sweet and thoughtful too. He tries to make sure I have something small to eat before I get up for the day so I don't get sick and makes me ginger tea. I didn't tell him, he just did it on his own."

Hinata giggled softly, the sound bright in the otherwise quiet room. "That's why you two work so well together. You understand each other, even when no words are said."

"I'm pretty sure our lack of words was what got us into this situation." Namiko let out a small laugh to try and bring some levity to the conversation. "That and his devilish good looks."

She paused, thinking more about what Hinata said. Even though Namiko worried about it, she knew she and Sasuke were meant to be. Their bond had always felt solid and natural, even when things were awkward during their time with Orochimaru.

The sound of the front door sliding open interrupted the moment. A familiar presence filled Namiko's senses, and she turned just in time to see Sasuke walking into the entryway, his usual calm and composed expression in place.

"Speak of the devil," Namiko muttered under her breath, causing Hinata to stifle another laugh.

Sasuke's dark eyes flickered between the three of them, sensing the lingering amusement in the air as he paused in the doorway. "What?" he asked, raising a brow.

"Nothing," Namiko said too quickly, standing up a little straighter, a small smirk keeping her laughter at bay.

"I'm going to get some fresh air and clear the dust from my nose," Hinata said with a knowing smile, slipping out the side door.

"I need to head back to check on some things." Kurenai gave Namiko a quick hug. "You know where to find me if you want to talk."

Namiko squeezed back and gave a small wave as Kurenai headed for the entryway. "Be careful."

"I will," said Kurenai with a wink at Namiko as she passed Sasuke.

As the door clicked shut, Sasuke stepped into the living room, his gaze softening as it landed on Namiko. "It's looks really nice in here. You must have been cleaning all day," he noted, his tone more concerned than anything. Sasuke crossed the room in a few quick strides, placed a hand on her waist, andpulled her gently toward him. "You should take a break."

"I want to get this done before Naruto gets back. Kakashi-sensei said he received word they'd be here sometime this evening." She wrapped her arms loosely around his neck. "By the way, I was cleaning in your parents' room earlier and I found a chest with an uchiwa on it in the closet."

"Did you open it?" he asked, his shoulders tensing slightly.

Namiko watched his face carefully and shook her head. "I didn't want to pry, so I left it alone. They're your family's things, not mine."

His body relaxed slightly. "I already told you that you are already my family, which by extension makes my parents part of your family too, even if they're no longer alive."

'He didn't hear our conversation a moment ago, right? Maybe he didn't forget our conversation all those months ago after all…' Namiko's cheeks tinted pink before smiling teasingly at him. "You do realize by the same token, that means Naruto is your brother, right?"

He rolled his eyes. "You win some, you lose some." He leaned down and kissed her deeply. "I definitely win by having you in my life."

He kissed her again and Namiko felt her legs weaken and her heart melt. This was why they belonged together; they complemented each other so well—two halves of the same ryo.

So what if they weren't traditional? It was their relationship. Neither of them had parents to enforce anything and they didn't have to worry about clan rules. However, she got the sneaking feeling that even if they did have parents and clans to deal with, Sasuke would have broken every rule to be with her, and she would have followed without question.

Her growling stomach interrupted their moment of peace and she blushed from embarrassment as Sasuke turned and walked toward the kitchen. She quickly followed him. "What are you doing?"

He pulled a box of crackers from the cabinet and opened the fridge door to look inside. "Getting you something to eat."

She sighed contentedly. "Sasuke, you don't need to do that. I'm perfectly capable of making my own snack. Before you got home, I was about to make some tea for Hinata, Kurenai, and me. I can do it myself."

"I know you're capable," he replied as he pulled out some cheese and an apple. "I'm just trying to make sure you're taken care of. Now sit."

She reluctantly did as told and sat at the low table, watching him closely. "Fine, you win."

She watched him slice the apple with practiced ease as her mind wandered back to her earlier conversation. Even though it drove her a little crazy that he took care of her even though she was fully capable, it calmed her racing thoughts and made her ever so thankful he was the one by her side.

He placed everything in front of her, dropping a kiss on her forehead as he turned to leave. "I'll let Hinata know she can come back inside. I'm going to go work on a couple of things. You know how to find me."

With that, he left the room and a moment later Hinata came back in. "He really is sweet to you. I think you're the only one who can turn him into a puddle like that," she said as she set the kettle on the stove for tea.

"I know. I don't know what I'm so worried about," said Namiko as she nibbled on an apple slice.

"You've got a lot going on right now. It's okay to be anxious. I know I would be."

"Hinata, you're anxious about almost everything," added Namiko with a laugh. "Though it seems you've stopped being so shy and anxious around my brother. Far more than I ever thought you would be, but I'm genuinely happy for you both."

Hinata gave a dreamy sigh. "I never thought I'd be so…open and free with him. I sometimes don't know how to handle his affections, though I do enjoy them."

Namiko raised an eyebrow. "Affections? Like him being touchy-feely?" At Hinata's embarrassed nod, Namiko continued, "If it's too much, just let him know. Communication is key in any relationship. Naruto and I didn't exactly have parents to guide us on what kind of affection is proper. I read enough books and paid attention to people to understand clearly, but Naruto was too busy goofing off when he was younger and then he left with Jiraiya-ji-chan who wasn't the best example."

Hinata laughed softly as she twisted her fingers together awkwardly. "I don't mind, really. I like that he's affectionate. It's just…new for me. It still amazes me that he loves me too, like a dream come true. Naruto-kun has always been so bold with his feelings toward everything else, and it still surprises me that it's now focused on me." Her cheeks flared a deep pink.

Namiko leaned forward, her lips curling into a playful smile. "Trust me, I get it. I never expected Sasuke would be the type to be affectionate. It's been a gradual thing with him, and I'm pretty sure a part of him still finds it awkward to do in public; I don't mind that though. But when we're alone and he does show it, it's…it's everything."

Hinata's eyes widened a little, the curiosity clear on her face. "What was it like, the first time he showed you affection?"

Namiko thought for a moment, a warm smile creeping across her lips as she recalled the memories. "Sasuke was very subtle while we were with Orochimaru. His hand grazing 'accidentally' against mine when he handed me something, placing a blanket over me while I slept, touching my hair, or touching me in any way that wasn't necessary when we sparred. He was so subtle with his touches." She chuckled softly. "He's still subtle, but he's a lot more open obviously or we wouldn't be here."

Hinata smiled. "It's obvious he cares for you. Everyone can see how much you mean to each other. You've made such a positive difference in his life."

Namiko blushed slightly, shaking her head. "He's changed me too. We've both been through so much, and I don't think we would've made it without the other. And now, with these two," she gently placed her hands on her belly, "I feel like we're starting a new adventure, one that we definitely didn't think would happen until years from now."

"Don't worry, everything will be fine." Hinata reached out and squeezed her hand. "You're going to be a wonderful mother, Namiko. And Sasuke will be an amazing father."

Namiko smiled, tears welling in the corner of her eyes as her heart swelled at the thought. "Thank you, Hinata. That means a lot."

Hinata's soft smile mirrored Namiko's, and the two women sat in companionable silence for a moment, the air between them filled with understanding and warmth. Hinata stood up to get more tea when suddenly, the sound of the front door sliding open again caught their attention.

"Hey! I'm back! Where is everyone?" Naruto's loud voice echoed through the house, breaking the peaceful quiet.

Namiko laughed, her twin brother's enthusiasm always managing to lift her spirits. "In here, Naruto!"

A moment later, Naruto bounded into the kitchen, his face lit up with his trademark grin as he locked eyes with Hinata. He rushed forward, crushing her against his chest as he kissed her deeply before picking her up and twirling her around once and kissing her tenderly again. "I missed you, Hinata," he whispered against her lips.

Hinata blinked a couple of times, trying to process his boldness. "I missed you too, Naruto-kun." She caught Namiko's amused look and flushed pink all over again.

He let go of Hinata and looked at his sister. "What are you guys doing in here? Did I miss out on something fun?"

Namiko rolled her eyes. "Just cleaning and girl talk, nothing you'd be interested in," she said with a dismissive wave.

Naruto made a face of mock disgust. "Cleaning? Guess I dodged a bullet, huh?"

Hinata laughed softly, and Namiko playfully tossed a cracker at Naruto which he caught and ate. "You could at least offer to help!" Namiko teased.

Naruto grinned and leaned back, crossing his arms behind his head. "Sorry Namiko, but Baa-chan's got some stuff for me first." He looked over at Hinata, his eyes softening. "But I'm glad to be back."

Hinata blushed under his gaze, her smile growing shy as she glanced at him. "How was the meeting?"

"It was interesting to say the least. I can't tell either of you anything right now because Baa-chan is having a meeting with us, Sasuke, and a few others tomorrow morning at seven," he said as he leaned against the kitchen counter.

"Why does it have to be so early?" Namiko muttered with a slight groan. "Wait, us? Like me and you?"

"Hinata too." Hinata's eyes watched him curiously as he continued, "Both Teams 7 and 8, but I'm not sure who else…oh wait! Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro are here too."

That caught Namiko by surprise. "Not that I'm not excited to see them but why are they here?"

"Gaara offered to help with the reconstruction. That reminds me," said Naruto as he pushed off the counter's edge. "I need to go grab some things out of the apartment. Kakashi-sensei said we're staying here now?"

Namiko stood up and put her dish in the sink. "Yeah, at least until the apartment is fixed, but we can talk more about that later."

"I'm surprised Sasuke agreed to be here at all, let alone live here."

Namiko glanced over her shoulder at her brother. "It was his idea."

Naruto blinked a couple of times as he processed his surprise. "Oh-kay…" he said slowly, a bemused expression on his face. "Guess people really do change."

Namiko narrowed her eyes and flicked some water from the sink at him. "Well, you've changed too, so don't act so shocked."

Naruto dodged the water with a grin and shrugged. "Yeah, I guess so." He caught Hinata's gaze and winked at her before turning back to Namiko. "Anyway, I'll grab my stuff and head back here later. See you both in a bit!"

With that, Naruto quickly kissed Hinata on the cheek and jogged out of the house, leaving the two women alone again. Namiko chuckled, shaking her head. "He's always full of energy, isn't he?"

Hinata nodded, her cheeks still pink. "He is. But it's part of what makes him so wonderful."

Namiko leaned against the counter, watching Hinata fondly. "You two are good for each other. I'm glad he has someone like you in his life."

Hinata smiled softly. "Thank you, Namiko. That means a lot coming from you."

Namiko waved her hand dismissively. "I'm just telling the truth. You're gentle and kind, and you balance out his chaos and impulsiveness. You're perfect for him."

Hinata blushed again, but this time, her expression was more serene. "I feel the same way about you and Sasuke. You both bring out the best in each other."

Namiko smiled, her thoughts lingering on Sasuke. Despite all her worries, she knew in her heart that Hinata was right. They did bring out the best in each other, and even if they hadn't taken the traditional path, they were building something strong together—a family.

"I think I'm going to head home," said Hinata as she walked toward the front entrance. "See you at the meeting in the morning?"

"I'll be there, but I can't promise I'll be bright-eyed or bushy-tailed that early," Namiko said with a laugh.

They said their goodbyes at the door and Namiko turned to stare at the empty hallway before her. She moved carefully through the hallway, her fingers brushing over old picture frames, and she could feel the echoes of the Uchiha family in the walls. It was quiet, almost too quiet. She wondered how long it would take for the laughter of children to fill the halls again.

Her hand found her slightly sloped stomach, and she looked down at it. "Let's find your papa, huh?" She activated her chakra sensing, just enough to cover the house, and located Sasuke in his parents' room.

Meanwhile, Sasuke knelt on the floor in front of the chest Namiko found earlier. One he hadn't seen since he was about nine years old when he had finally worked up the courage to look through his family's belongings.

He poured a tiny bit of his chakra into the lock, hearing the sounds of the tumblers moving before a click and the chest popped open. He peered inside to find the family heirlooms he'd long forgotten about.

A special kunai with the family crest and "Uchiha Fugaku" etched on the side. Several scrolls of his father's with clan secrets. His mother's hairclips and wedding kimono.

He dug further until he found a small bundle of silk. Something he almost forgot was there. He unwrapped it, examining the contents reverently. He heard the door move and he stealthily refolded and placed the bundle back under the kimono.

"I see you found the chest."

Sasuke turned to see Namiko leaning against the doorframe as he closed the chest. "I did," he said as he stood and walked over to her.

"Anything interesting inside?" she asked as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

He placed his hands on her hips and placed a brief kiss on her lips. "Just some things of my father's, but you'd probably be interested in my mother's wedding kimono."

"You'll have to show me later. I'd love to see it."

He gave an affirmative hum before placing a lingering kiss on her lips. "I don't want to think about the past anymore tonight. All I want to do is spend the rest of the evening with you in my arms."

She pressed another kiss to his lips. "I'm okay with that, but at some point, I need to fix dinner. Plus, Naruto will be back shortly."

A smirk slid into place. "How long do you think we have?"

"I don't know…maybe an hour? He just left to grab some things at the apartment."

"Plenty of time then," he said as he suddenly scooped her into his arms, carrying her off to their bedroom as she let out a squeal of surprise.

It was still dark outside in the morning when Sasuke felt Namiko shift. She had been lying with her head against his chest and her leg draped over his. "You okay?"

She groaned as she sat up. "Bathroom," she mumbled as she looked at the clock.

5:38 a.m.

Twenty-two minutes before her alarm was going to go off. She rolled her eyes as she flicked on the bathroom light. 'It's not even worth going back to bed for that little bit. I might as well just get ready for the day.'

She did what she needed to do and decided to take her hair out of its braid to twist it up into her normal bun. Her fingers worked in practiced movements, undoing the braid, brushing it out and up to twist it, all without looking in a mirror. She finished and secured the bun, then leaned over and splashed some water on her face to wake up a little more. She dried off her face and took a look in the mirror to pull out pieces of her bangs to frame her face.

Happy with her hair, she was about to walk out of the bathroom when she took another glance at herself in the mirror and she let out a high-pitched, startled squeal. "Sasuke!"

She ran back to the bedroom and stood at the end of the bed with a bright smile as Sasuke stood up, looking ready to attack whoever hurt her. "What's wrong?!" he asked in an almost panicked tone. His Sharingan quickly scanned her body for any injuries but found none.

However, what his dojutsu did see made him freeze in place for a moment.

Her shirt was pulled up to reveal her bare stomach, which had been a gradual slope just yesterday, had grown seemingly overnight and rounded out significantly as if to make the undeniable statement that she was well and truly pregnant.

She locked eyes with him, her expression a mix of excitement and surprise. "It wasn't like this yesterday! I mean, I knew I was pregnant by the nausea and exhaustion, but…now I can see it."

Sasuke stepped closer, his gaze softening as he took in the sight of her rounded belly. The reality of their situation had always been present in his mind, but seeing the physical change in her body made everything feel more real. He reached out, hesitating for just a moment before gently resting his hand on her stomach, his fingers tracing the bump.

"I guess this means no more hiding it," he said quietly, a small, almost imperceptible smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

Namiko giggled softly, the sound light and filled with joy. "Yeah, I think we're officially crossing that line. I don't think I'll be able to hide this with loose clothes for much longer." She let out a deep breath. "I should probably find some looser clothes to try to hide this before the meeting today."

Sasuke nodded and slowly let go of her, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "I'll meet you in the kitchen."

A few minutes later, Namiko and Sasuke were sitting eating breakfast at the table when Naruto came in. "Man, I slept like the dead last night!" he said with a stretch and grabbed a cup of instant ramen.

"Isn't that every night?" teased Namiko as she stood to get her piece of toast from the toaster.

Naruto mockingly laughed back. "Yeah, yeah, very funny. Why the outfit change? Though I admit I like this better than your old outfit because it covers everything."

"Good," she replied. She had changed into a loose-fitting black shirt and a mid-thigh black skirt that sat higher on her waist, disguising her growing stomach.

She smoothed the skirt, pressing it against her stomach to show off the obvious bump, and Naruto's eyes widened. "Oh…that's why…" he paused, tilting his head, "Did your stomach just do that overnight?"

"Apparently, the twins wanted to make their appearance a little early." She sighed heavily. "Kurenai-sensei warned me because I'm short and pregnant with twins, I'd probably show early. I didn't think she meant it could happen this early. So, I had no choice but to find clothes to mask it."

Naruto grabbed the chopsticks for his ramen and shrugged. "The good thing is I didn't notice until you fixed your skirt."

"You're not exactly the most observant person though," scoffed Sasuke.

"Well, not all of us can have fancy eyes that act as a walking cheat code," retorted Naruto.

Namiko rolled her eyes as she finished her toast. "Enough, you two. We probably should get going."

"I'm hurrying, ya know!" Naruto practically inhaled his cup oframen and the three made their way toTsunade's office.

As they walked, Namiko took a long look around the village. Almost everything was back to normal in the week and a half since Pain's attack. The damage wasn't nearly as bad as it could've been and most of Konoha was able to move back into their homes. It wouldn't be long before thewhole village would be back to normal.

Thankfully, the Hokage office was one of the buildings that had minimal damage and was fully back together. When they walked into Tsunade's office, Shizune, Sakura, Yamato, Sai, and Hinata were already there along with the Suna siblings.

Gaara was the first to speak and stepped forward to greet them, "Namiko, Sasuke, it's been a while since I've seen either of you." He looked pointedly at Sasuke. "Good to see both of our eyes have changed since all those years ago."

"Indeed," replied Sasuke. "A lot has happened over the last few years. I'm thankful to be back home and on the right side of things."

Namiko nodded. "And I think I last saw you three when Suna requested Konoha's help tracking down something. A plant, if I remember correctly?"

Temari answered this time. "It was. Chiyo-baa-san needed it in a remedy for a poison."

"I'm still sorry about your loss," said Namiko quietly.

"It's okay. We got our brother back after that; she sacrificed her life of her own free will. And if it weren't for Sakura over here, I would've been dead too," said Kankuro, nodding to Sakura with a wink, causing the slightest pink to tint her cheeks.

The door opened and in walked Kakashi, followed by Kiba and Kurenai. Namiko's posture straightened a little when she locked eyes with Kurenai for a moment. 'When Naruto said both Teams 7 and 8, I didn't think they'd pull sensei in this too. She's off active duty like I am, so why is she here?'

Tsunade cleared her throat and stood to speak, "I've asked you all here today to discuss what occurred at the Five Kage Summit. What is said here today remains in this room, understood?"

At everyone's agreement, she continued, "The summit was called to discuss the Akatsuki along with Pain's attack on our village, but something more happened…and simply put, Uchiha Madara showed up during the meeting and declared war."

Nearly everyone's eyes widened at the news and Namiko couldn't help the fear that flooded her body as a small gasp escaped her mouth.

Tsunade explained calmly, "We've known that the Akatsuki has been capturing jinchuriki and removing their Biju, as seen in Kazekage-sama, but they've been doing so on Madara's orders to create a weapon of some kind. They have to collect the Biju in numerical order, and they already have collected seven of the nine, which leaves Kumo's hachibi and then—"

"Then they come after Namiko and Naruto, right?" growled out Sasuke as Namiko laid a hand on his forearm to calm him, and hopefully her own thundering heartbeat.

Tsunade's gaze softened, looking between the siblings. "Yes, that's correct. They are the prime targets, which is why we need to take action. So effective immediately, you both are under protective custody and not allowed outside Konoha's walls under any circumstances."

"…what?" breathed out Namiko. She turned to Naruto, realizing he wasn't protesting like she thought he would. "You knew about this? Why aren't you arguing about it?! I know you want to take down the Akatsuki more than anyone!"

"I do, but I also know that if we get captured, this could be bad for the whole shinobi world, not just us," said Naruto determinedly. "You especially need to be protected."

"Naruto is right. We have to be extra careful with you," agreed Kakashi as he watched Namiko carefully. "You know, I was your mother's guard before you two were born, and there was no active threat then. This time we know there is a threat to your lives; Madara has already declared war and will come for you. We need to find a secure location for you both."

"Why do I need protection? I know this Tobi or Madara or whatever his name is can teleport, but so can I!" exclaimed Namiko.

"No. You can't." Tsunade commanded, her glare clashing with Namiko's. "You may have done it once when Pain attacked, but as things develop, you won't be able to control your chakra as well. It's too much of a risk."

"Hokage-sama…" started Gaara, his tone almost curious, "I feel like you are withholding important information, and if you want Suna to help you in the best way possible, we need to be open and honest with each other."

Tsunade's eyes relaxed somewhat, searching Namiko's for permission to reveal the information. While she was Hokage, she also wanted to respect Namiko's privacy.

Namiko pressed her lips together and exhaled forcefully. "I'm pregnant with twins. That's why she didn't want to say."

Temari and Kankuro both failed to hide their surprise, but Gaara remained stoic as ever, opting for a simple nod of his head. "Then your situation is more complex than we realized. Protecting you isn't just about safeguarding a jinchuriki—it's also about the lives you carry." He turned to Tsunade. "It's more important than ever that we establish a secure strategy for keeping her safe. Suna will do whatever we can to support Konoha."

Temari folded her arms, her face serious. "I can only imagine what it would mean for the Akatsuki to get their hands on the kyuubi's jinchuriki, let alone an heir to the Uchiha clan."

Sasuke tensed beside Namiko, his jaw clenching. "I'm not going to let them get anywhere near her. I'll be with her at all times."

Yamato spoke up, "Sasuke, I understand why you're protective over her and the children, but you can't protect her alone. This is war."

Sasuke's eyes narrowed slightly, his Sharingan flashing briefly as he glanced at Yamato. "I know it's war but I won't leave her side, no matter what."

Tsunade's expression softened as she looked at him. "Sasuke, I know you would do anything to keep her safe, but we need to think strategically. We can't afford any slip-ups; Madara has already shown us he's willing to go to any lengths which means you may be needed on the battlefield."

Namiko fought the nausea that washed over her at the thought of Sasuke being anywhere on the battlefield of this war Madara was planning. She looked at him, a tinge of sadness and nervousness in her gaze. "If you're needed to defend Konoha, I don't want you to risk others' lives just because you don't want to let me out of your sight."

Naruto placed a firm hand on Sasuke's shoulder. "There's not a single person in this room that won't fight like hell to keep Namiko safe." He paused, his eyes flicking to Namiko with a reassuring smile before turning back to Sasuke. "We're in this together, and we'll fight this thing together too. If the Akatsuki and Madara come for us, we won't make it easy for them."

The room was tense yet unified, an unspoken resolve settling over the group. A sense of determination filled the room, each shinobi present nodding in agreement. They were about to face an enemy unlike any other, one that threatened not only Konoha but the entire world.

Tsunade's gaze softened slightly, seeing the loyalty and determination shared among them. This wasn't a mission anymore; it was personal. She took a deep breath, a hint of pride in her eyes as she looked over the group, settling on the siblings. "I'm assigning ANBU security detail to you both effective immediately. Sasuke, Namiko, you'll be allowed to remain at the Uchiha compound, but understand that if anything changes, we may need to relocate you. Naruto, the same applies to you once your apartment is fixed."

"Understood," said the three in unison.

Tsunade nodded in agreement. "I'll work with the village council to finalize our strategy and we'll coordinate with Suna and the other Great Nations to ensure we're on the same page. Until further notice, continue your daily routines, but I suggest you all train hard during this time. The next few weeks to months could be arduous. We don't know when Madara will strike, but we will be ready."

A/N: I'm back! So sorry for vanishing last weekend out of nowhere. I had a horribly high fever for five days and couldn't do anything but sleep. I hope that this chapter was worth the wait! Poor Namiko (and Kurenai), being pregnant while war is on their doorstep is definitely not what they planned on dealing with. (Also, check out my profile for a link to a couple of new pictures of Namiko!)

Next chapter is going to be lighter and some fun before we get deep into the war. We still have at least four chapters before the start of the war. It could be more, it just depends on where the characters take me. But I'll see you all soon! (Should be next Saturday provided I nor anyone in my family gets sick.)

I also want to give a quick thank you to everyone who has read these past two weeks! I have had a record 800 hits on AO3 (putting me at over 13k) and a record 1,200 hits on FFN over the last two weeks! I feel the love! Thank you so much!

Love, Eriisu

PS: Comments are my tip jar!