Father chapter 17

Chapter 17: Adjusting to live </u>

As a few weeks passed things were going fine at the Hyuga/Uzumaki household as if Naruto never missed a thing. Hinata became more used to the fact he was alive and enjoyed it every single minute, as well did Keiji.
To avoid difficult questions as ‘where is grandpa?’ from Keiji, Minato was mostly walking around; helping people or hanging around with Jiraiya or Kakashi. He got his own apartment a few streets away from where Naruto, Hinata and Keiji lived to avoid the question ‘where does grandpa live?’.

So things were going fine. However Naruto noticed Hinata had been acting somewhat weird and suspected her behaviour the most. She became a little grumpier, mostly in the mornings, and ate more. Although, Sakura told him she had barely eaten because she was sad. Now that she is happy she will eat more, or so the pink haired told. After hearing this, his suspicion became less.

10 – 12 (14th year of Godaime’s rule)

As the weather was getting colder, people were preparing for Christmas. However Hinata was completely somewhere else with her thoughts and when Naruto was on a C-mission with some junior Chu-nin and Keiji was to school, the young Hyuga went over to visit a friend. When ringing the bell at the gate of the Yakushi estate, she waited and it was Yamato who opened the door. “Konnichi wa, Yamato-sama. Could I talk to Nekomata-san or is she working at the hospital?”
Yamato smiled and let the girl in. “Neko-chan is working indeed, but not at the hospital today. She’s at her home, let me guide you the way Hinata-san.” “Arigato gozaimasu,” thanked the dark haired as she followed the ex-clan leader (he’s clan elder, since the day Nekomata and Lee are married).

“Neko-chan, there’s someone here to visit you,” Yamato said knocking on the door. The door opened. “Ah, Hinata-san, do come in,” Nekomata smiled, “Father, are you staying as well?” “Ano… I don’t want to cause trouble, but I actually wanted to talk to you in privet Nekomata-chan,” Hinata said sounding somewhat unsure. “Oh, I see. Sayuri-chan?”
A little girl, not yet wearing glasses since her Tengan eyes hadn’t been activated yet, came running to the door. “Father, could you take of her for a while, please?” “With pleasure, come Sayuri-chan,” Yamato smiled extending his hand to the girl who gladly got it. “Bye, o-kaa-san,” she said happily and was off with her grandfather.
After Hinata entered the house and had sat down on the couch, Nekomata made some tea for the two of them. “Now, what is troubling you?” the married woman asked as she handed over the tea to Hinata. “Well… I’m not sure about this at all, but lately I have been feeling kind of weird and I have the feeling…” “You’re pregnant?” Nekomata finished the sentence. Hinata blushed a little whilst looking down as she nodded once. “How… how did you know I wanted to say that?” “I could read it of your face, Hinata-san. Now let’s go down the checklist.” “Checklist?” the Hyuga repeated confused, nipping her tea.

Nekomata drank some of her tea first. “Yes, checklist. So, I am going to ask a few questions.” “A-alright…” “Number one and most important one; when did you have your last period?” “Uhm… October 29th I believe it was.” Nekomata nodded. “Number two; really obvious actually. How is your... sex life? Any sexual intercourse in the period of the 12th-15th day of your cycle?” “A...Ano...” “Yes or no, Hyuga-san?” “I… I think…” “How about your breast? Do they feel fuller, heavier, sore?” Hinata blushed thinking about that question while she looked at the Yakushi.
“Uhm… well sometimes they are sore,” she finally muttered. “Headaches?” “Currently not, but a week ago I had them every day.” “Nausea?” “A bit… mostly in the morning but it goes away after breakfast.” “Uh-uh, what about eating? Have you started eating more?” “Well yes, but I didn’t eat a lot the last eight years. I just wasn’t that hungry,” Hinata told as she looked in her now empty cup. “Ah, that explains your underweight of the last few years,” Nekomata joked a little. Hinata sweat dropped. “How about mood swings?” Now Hinata got a thoughtful face. “Hm… I don’t know. Though Keiji-kun called me grumpy several times when I punished him for things he wasn’t allowed to do… I might have overreacted at that point like Naruto-kun said…” Nekomata sweat dropped.
“Well… if you are indeed pregnant you are around a month now,” she said whilst looking at her friend. “I could check if you indeed are, since I am not sure, but… well I’m pregnant myself and that brings down my ability of checking such things.” Hinata looked somewhat shocked. “Ah, I don’t want you to check if it brings you into trouble,” she quickly said.
“Well, in that case, we should go over to the hospital and do a blood work analysis. Come.” Nekomata pushed herself up to her feet and waved Hinata to follow her.

A few minutes later, they sat in the office/lab of the Paediatrician. “Well, here we go...” Cleaning the skin at the elbow, the Iryo-nin drew a blood sample from the Hyuga woman and yelled for her aides to do a full blood work test and bring her Hyuga Hinata's medical/military file.
A nurse picked up the small vial and raced off, not in the mood to face ‘Yakushi-sama’s’ impatience. Nekomata sat down behind her desk after her personal aide had brought her the file.

“And what now, Nekomata-san?” Hinata wondered. "Now... we wait."

It took around thirty minutes. The nurse handed over the results with a bow which Nekomata read. Hinata just stood there, waiting for Nekomata to give her the answer. When it took too long according to her she opened her mouth, though was interrupted by Nekomata. “Well, Hinata, I should congratulate you; you are pregnant.”
The young Hyuga woman stared at her, not knowing what do now or how to react. Nekomata guided her to a chair before she would faint in shock. Soon tears rolled down her cheeks as she was smiling and holding a hand in front of her face. Nekomata, gave her a glass of water. “Thank you,” Hinata mumbled and drank some of it.
“I will report you on the mission board and Konoha’s CMO, my father.” Hinata nodded a little, “Could you please make sure my and Naruto-kun’s friends and Hyuga clan members don’t find out? I want to tell our friends myself… after telling Naruto-kun.” “Hm, difficult task, but we will do our best.” “A-arigato… for everything.” “You should also know the SOP (Standard Operations Protocol) for pregnant kunoichi, Hinata-san. From now on you’re of duty, unless it’s a no-combat-no-danger-D-mission.” “O-okay…”

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“Nice the mission was over so soon,” Naruto smiled. The blonde stretched his arms as soon he closed the door. “I’m home,” he said, yet no reply came. He looked over at the clock and understood Keiji would probably be playing with friends, but where Hinata was he had no clue.
Somewhat disappointed he dropped down on the couch and watched some television.

After about half an hour the door opened which made Naruto look around as Hinata entered the living room. “Hey cute one,” he smiled as he stood up and walked to her. Surprised Hinata stared at him. “Naruto-kun? Weren’t you on a mission?” “Yeah, but we finished that pretty easily.”
The blonde wrapped his arms around his girl and kissed her on her cheek. “Where have you been?” the blonde asked. “Nekomata-san’s,” Hinata replied. “Ah…” Naruto watched her for several seconds and got worried because of the look on her face. “Hey,” he whispered as he gently stroke her cheek, “Is something wrong?” It was then she hugged him back and laid her head on his chest. “No, I’m fine. Just tired, maybe a shower will wake me up.” “Hm, maybe… want me to join you?” Naruto grinned. She gave him a soft slap on his cheek, “No, I’m going alone,” she giggled.

‘At least she’s laughing now… I wonder what is going on.’

“Alright then,” he smiled and kissed her, “I’m going to pick up Keiji.” “Hm, okay,” she said and let him go.

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“Keiji!” Naruto called out to his son who was playing tag with the Uchiha kids or that’s what it looked liked to the blonde.
Keiji looked up and Naruto noticed the long red band wrapped around the boy’s head as the kid rushed over to him. “Look dad, I have my own headband,” he smiled whilst pointing at his head. Because the headband was at the place where normally his goggles were, his goggles were now on his nose. “I’m a Red Dragon,” he grinned. “Red Dragon?” Naruto asked puzzled as the two walked home.
“Yeah, that’s what we called ourselves. We are the new hero’s of Konoha!” Naruto grinned at his son’s imagination. “Oh, I bet you will be,” he encouraged him, “But this red dragon looks really dirty and needs a shower really badly.” “No, I don’t need one,” Keiji pouted.

How much Keiji needed a shower, for he was under the mud, he first had a dinner. It was very quiet dinner compared to other days. The only one that actually talked was Keiji, reviewing the things he did today as ‘Red Dragon’. Fugaku and Mikoto appeared to part of it as well as Taka, although he was picked up by Lee earlier.
After dinner Naruto grabbed the little blonde and carried him under his arm to the bathroom. “Whaaaa, I don’t want to! I don’t want to! I ain’t dirty!” Naruto locked the door and had some difficult with getting Keiji undressed. When finally under the shower, Keiji threw his father a glare and kneeled down to get his plastic bucket which he filled with water. “Here, dad, your shower!” the boy grinned. Since the shower door wasn’t closed yet Naruto got a full bucket of warm water thrown at him. As Keiji grinned, Naruto sighed. “Fine, I might as well take one too, then; since I’m already drenched.” He gave Keiji a look who gave him an innocent face. Keiji played with his bath toys while Naruto undressed himself and joined the boy.

There was knocking on the front door and Hinata opened it. “Konban wa, Shizune-san,” she greeted when she saw who it was. “Konban wa, I’m sorry for interrupting but Naruto has to be at the Hokage office over an hour.” “Okay, I will tell him,” Hinata smiled.

“Keiji! Come back here!”

The two women looked at the little boy that left the bathroom in a rush. “Keiji, you’re not dry yet next to that don’t run around naked!” Naruto exclaimed. He himself had quickly put on his boxers and was now dealing with his trousers. “Come try to catch me!” Keiji laughed as he entered the kitchen.
Naruto let out a sigh. “It’s bedtime for him isn’t it,” he mumbled as his eye was caught by Shizune, “Oh, Konban wa, Shizune.” The blonde gave her a quick smile and then went after his son.
After running around the couch for a while Naruto jumped over it and grabbed the boy tight. “Got ya,” he said victorious. “Moh,” Keiji pouted and was carried to his room where he was dried of by his father. Naruto helped the boy into his pyjama, who escaped right after. Not even rushing Naruto followed him with a sigh. Hinata giggled, since it had been like this almost every evening the last few weeks. Shizune laughed too and wished Naruto good luck before she left.

The good thing was whenever Keiji had run around the whole house for about ten minutes, he would easily fall asleep. The boy never heard the ending of his bedtime story, which Hinata always read for him.

Hinata smiled when she saw he was asleep, closed the book and kissed the boy on his cheek. She quietly placed the book on the bookshelf and left. In the living room she found Naruto, who pulled her on his lap and caught her in a kiss. “It took less time to get him today,” he grinned after that. Hinata smiled as she laid her head on his shoulder. “Shizune-san told you have to be at the Hokage office over an hour, well now just twenty-five minutes.” The blonde grinned. “Plenty enough time for doing this,” he whispered in her ear and gently laid her down on the couch and then started to kiss her again.
Unfortunately time goes a lot faster when you enjoy something and soon Naruto had to leave. Grunting he pushed himself up, not wanting to leave the nice position he was laying; having his arms wrapped around the woman of his life and feeling completely relaxed. Hinata didn’t seem to like it either for she pulled him back. “Hinata-chan, I will get hit if I’m late…” he whispered, though not making any movement of getting up again. “I know,” she replied softly and then they were lip locked again. Running his hand through her hair one more time he let go. “I gotta go,” he mumbled.
Once again he pushed himself up and stepped over the girl to get of the couch.

“Naruto-kun…”  

“Hm?” The blonde turned around to her. She shook her head. “Just… if you get a mission come home first.” He smiled, gave her a quick peck on her cheek, “I will.” After that he left and Hinata sighed.

‘I need to tell him… but how?’

She sat up and eventually decided to watch some television

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In the office Naruto found Kakashi and Kiba with Akamaru and they were soon joined by Shino. “Alright, now that you’re all here, I’m going to give you the information of the mission. I want you all to find Oto shinobi. As far as our information goes they are still in the Fire country. If needed, kill them.” “Ossu,” came from three mouths. Yes three, because Naruto didn’t join them. He was lost in thoughts since Hinata was acting strange since she came home from Nekomata. Next to that she seemed wanting to tell something, yet she didn’t, it worried him.
“Naruto, everything alright?” Tsunade asked. “Huh?... yeah, I’m okay. Just a little tired,” he lied. “Well get a few hours of sleep, I want the four of you to leave at five in the morning. Kakashi, here are the details.” Kakashi got the scroll from Tsunade and after that they were dismissed.

Naruto slowly walked home, with his hands in his pockets. He entered his home and locked the door before walking to the living room. “I’m back,” he said. “Hey, shall we continue were we left of,” she asked with a blush. “I would love to but I cannot I need to pack,” Naruto blushed a little and walked over to the storage room where they kept stuff as kunai and shuriken. Hinata stood up from the couch and went over to him. “You’re leaving already?” “No, I leave at four thirty tonight. I need to go hunt down Oto shinobi and kill them if necessary. Kiba, Shino and Kakashi-sensei, are coming along…” Naruto saw Hinata’s face and placed the stuff he had in his hands on the kitchen table.
“Hinata-chan, what is it?” “Nothing… just you’re leaving in the middle of the night.” Tenderly the blonde grasped her hand and drew her closer. “That’s not what’s bothering you.” She let her head hung a little in order to avoid his gaze. “I… I just don’t like it you’re leaving.” He sighed as he let her go and continued packing. “I know, but it’s my duty. I’m a Konoha shinobi,” he mumbled as he placed a scroll in the backpack. “I know, though… they’re sound ninja… a-and…” The blonde glanced over to her, hearing in her voice she was about to cry. “Hinata-chan, what is it?” he asked concerned. He hated to see her sad face. “It’s just… why now?” she mumbled which confused the blonde. He now turned around to her and embraced her as she started crying.
“M-mood swings ch-check,” she muttered into his chest. “Mood swings?” Naruto asked puzzled.

‘Wh-what, I heard something about mood swings not too long ago.’

“Let me help you here, Kamikashi.”

‘Kamikashi… right, she went from happiness to anger to crying or something…w-w-wait a s-second…!’

“Hinata-chan… a-are you…?” the blonde started but couldn’t get himself to finish that sentence. “Pregnant? Y-yes,” she whispered into his chest. Naruto stared into nothing, which was the only thing he could do at that very moment.
“H-how f-far?” he managed to mumble after a while. “A month,” she replied softly. After some quick calculating he knew it was from that drunken night of which he could barely remember what he exactly did. It had to be, he was gone for almost a week afterwards. And before that they hadn’t done it yet.

“Na-Naruto-kun?”

With a questioning, worried and afraid expression Hinata looked up to him. He hadn’t said a thing for about five minutes. He looked back and suddenly buried his face in her shoulder and kissed her in her neck. “I’m sorry, I’m just really overwhelmed by this,” he muttered. There was comfortable silence in which Naruto hugged Hinata tightly, but not too tight; he was afraid he would hurt her then.
He then straightened, still holding her though, and rubbed away the tears of joy with the palm of his hand. “Who did you tell?” “I went to Nekomata-chan to confirm, so only I only told her but it will be in my medical file,” Hinata answered trying to get rid of her own tears. Naruto smiled, placed his hand on hers that was rubbing away the tears, pushed it down and kissed her as he hoped these news wouldn’t go into the grapevine.

A sudden scream made the two stop and stare at each other. “He keeps getting nightmares about Sound,” the blonde sighed. “He’s afraid he will loose you again, Naruto-kun.” ‘And so are you, right Hinata-chan?’ he asked in his mind.
Not long after that a crying Keiji appeared into the living room with Inarimaru in his arms. Naruto let Hinata go. “Come here, Keiji,” he said as he kneeled down. The boy ran up to his father and got hugged by him. “Was it the same dream again?” Keiji nodded as Naruto picked him up, who got a somewhat in shock when he felt his father return to him.

‘D-dad? Why did you return?’

“I heard you had a mission with Sound ninja, so I thought it might be a wise idea to return in case I need to help you.”

‘I can handle things on my own,’ the blonde snapped stubbornly.

“Moh… I’m just trying to be of any help.”

‘Sorry… I really appreciate that but…’</i>

Naruto looked at his son in his arms and Hinata who was comforting the boy by telling his father wouldn’t be caught again by Oto.

‘I… I’m not going…’

“Huh? Why not? Because they’re from Sound? Come on Naruto, you beat them before, heck you took down a whole army together with me!”

‘I will explain in a moment… Yoko-san, will you please not tell him?’

“Whatever,” the demon fox chuckled.

Minato looked confused, tilted his head a little as he folded his arms and raised an eyebrow. “What is going on here?” “You will know in a moment,” Kyubi said as he lay down and decided to go to sleep.

“Daddy, are you okay?” “Huh…? Yeah, I’m okay. I was a little lost in thoughts. I need to talk with Tsunade…” he mumbled at the end. Hinata looked at him with some confusion. “But let me first bring you back to bed,” Naruto said to Keiji as he walked to the hallway. “I don’t want to,” Keiji muttered as he clanged himself to his father. “Keiji, it’s okay, I’m not going anywhere. I won’t leave you and your mother alone again like that,” Naruto whispered.
He placed the boy on his bed. “You promise?” “I promise, and I always keep my promises. Now lie down, and watch over Inarimaru because I think he’s still shivering in fear.” Keiji grinned as he hugged his fox. “Inarimaru is safe with me,” he said smiling. “Good. Sleep well Keiji-kun.” “Oyasumi, o-to-san,” the boy whispered back and was already back to sleep before Naruto had left the room.
The blonde went back to his girl and picked her up. “That was one, now number two.” “Wh-what?” Hinata giggled as she wrapped her arms around his neck. When in their bedroom he carefully laid her on the bed and kissed her. “I’ll be back in a while,” he whispered before straightening. The dark haired nodded and he then left.

When he closed the door of the apartment his father started asking again what was going on. Still holding the door handle the blonde sighed as he went over the seal inside.

“Do you have any patience?” Naruto asked his father. “I do, but I just don’t understand why you are suddenly declining a mission? What are you afraid of?” “To have history repeat once again…” the blonde replied as he looked down. “Why would that be?”
A blush and a smile appeared on his face. “Hinata-chan i-is pr-pregnant,” he muttered in the end. Minato stared at him for a while and smiled. “Congratulations.” “Thanks, but… I’m just… it’s Sound we’re talking about… I don’t want…” “Son, you’re a lot stronger than that time,” Minato sighed. “I know that, but I cannot get the idea out of my head…” He received a not too hard hit on his head. “Ouch, what was that for?” Naruto asked a little annoyed as he rubbed his head. “Stop standing around, after all she’s waiting for you, right? So go to Tsunade first, but prepare for her wrath.”

‘He-he-he…’ Naruto scratched the back of his head as he walked to the Hokage office.
Reaching it he knocked on the door. “Come in.” The blonde opened the door just to get yet another shock of his life. Seeing his and his father’s ex-sensei and the Hokage playing I’m-on-top on the floor. The fact Jiraiya was half naked made it even worse.
“DON’T SAY COME IN WHEN PLAYING DIRTY GAMES!” the blonde freaked. “Oh, Naruto… I though it was Shizune.” “AND SHE IS OKAY WITH SEEING THIS?!” “Why are you here anyway,” the Hokage said as she pushed her husband away who pouted and gave Naruto a death glare. “Eh? … oh right. I need to talk to you in privet.” “In other words I’m not allowed to hear it?” Jiraiya asked. “Yes,” Naruto replied. “What’s this Naruto? You’re not telling your old teacher what is going on?” “Don’t worry, you will hear it later on,” Naruto said stubbornly, not in the mood for the pervy replies he would get from the toad sennin if he told him. “Fine, fine, Tsunade, I’m waiting for you at home then.”
The Hokage smiled with a blush. ‘Urgh,’ the blonde thought.

When finally alone Naruto found it difficult to find a way of telling the Hokage he wouldn’t go on the mission he already agreed on doing. “So what is it, Naruto?” “Uhm… about that mission…” he started but didn’t continue. “What about it?” “I… could you please sign it up to someone else?” the blonde muttered while looking down, preparing for her anger.
“And what makes you think I would do that?” Tsunade asked, yet controlling her rage, “You already agreed with it.” “I know, but that was before… before I knew something I know now.” The Hokage gave him a questioning look and he sighed. “Just promise me not to tell anyone yet.” “Okay, but what is it?” She was getting curious and looked straight at him. “Well… Hi-Hinata-chan is pregnant…”

The Hokage stared at him for a while as she blinked a few times. Then all of a sudden the Uzumaki was hugged by the Hokage. “That is wonderful news,” she said happily. Naruto grinned a little. “Now I understand why Jiraiya had to leave. How far is she?” “A month,” he replied as he was released from the hug. “A month already?” the Hokage almost exclaimed, “Woa, you jumped her pretty fast after getting back.” Naruto shot her an annoyed look. “You’re just as bad as Ero-sennin.”
The slug sweat dropped grinning.
“In any case, I understand why you’re declining the mission however you should understand you won’t go without any missions the upcoming months.” “I understand… as long it has nothing to do with Oto, I’ll be okay with a mission.”

‘It seems like he’s afraid of having something like what happened eight years happen again.’

“Naruto, you do know this completely different situation than eight years ago.” “Yeah… dad said so too…” The Hokage sighed. “Very well, I’ll inform Kakashi you won’t go along.” “Thank you Tsunade,” Naruto smiled. “You take care of that woman of yours, she really needs it.” “I will,” he said, frequently nodding. “Good night, Naruto.”

“Ano…just one question?” Naruto mumbled as he stared to fidget his fingers and turned somewhat red. “Which is?” Tsunade asked raising an eyebrow. “Uhm… w-well, c-can we still d-do i-it or-or…” he asked almost not audible whilst avoiding eye contact. Tsunade sweat dropped yet again, but started to laugh. “You can silly, but only if Hinata wants. However the closer you get to the date of giving birth, the less she will want to.” “O-okay,” the blonde smiled blushing heavily, “Thank you, Tsunade.”

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Back at home he went straight to the bedroom where he found Hinata in her pyjama under the sheets, though she wasn’t asleep yet. Naruto got changed and cuddled up at her back. “I’m back,” he whispered in her ear. “I noticed,” she giggled. He started nibbling her ear, “And I’m not going tomorrow.” Hinata rolled over on her side and hugged him. Glad he wasn’t going on a mission that had to do with Sound.
Naruto gently rubbed her back. “I had to tell Tsunade why I didn’t want to go though, so she knows but promised me not to tell anyone. I didn’t know if you wanted anyone to know yet.” “I first need to get used to it myself, so you did the right thing, Naruto-kun. Thank you,” she whispered. “By the way… I…” he started to blush a little, “I also asked her about…” But before he could continue she placed her lips on his, making him unable to say another thing.

EXTRA (next morning):
Keiji stared at his parents. “I don’t get it. How can you have it warm while it’s darn cold outside?” His parents merely turned their head away, blushing madly.