Not you, too!

35: The Moment of Truth – The Purpose of The Construction


After Tsunade had confirmed that Hinata was indeed carrying a strong baby, and Neji was moving closer to the delivery of her child, Hyuuga Hiashi decided to treat himself to a trip to the local onsen and a few days of rest.
He was soaking in the hot mineral water and lost in a brief period of total relaxation. His mind was blank and his eyes were closed, nothing could possibly interrupt such a perfect day.
A shift in the water level drew his attention to the new inhabitant of the pool
“Aburame? I didn’t think your family came to the springs. Aren’t your little parasites turned off by the whole place?” he asked, intentionally goading the other man.
“The springs are not one of their favorite places. And we prefer the term symbiont. But, they do not stray far, so I will only be here a short time. I was more surprised to see one from the Hyuuga house her, though. This is not your usual routine.” Aburame Shibi answered, his face blank and those annoying dark glasses in place.
“No, that is true. I was celebrating. My family is expecting two new arrivals. I hear your son became a father, too, recently?”
“Yes, Shino and Hana have a fine son. I wonder how much of the Aburame family traits will blend with the Inuzuki. Perhaps more than your Hyuuga line. It will be interesting to see.”
“Yes, but the bloodline limit is very particular from the start. There is no guarantee that it would pass through Hinata anyway. Neji’s child is far more likely and I am rather excited to see what kind of mixture the Nara family will give us. Image the shadow ability flowing in a child with the Byakugan. Such power.” Hiashi said with a far away look in his eyes.
“That would be something, but do not count Hinata out yet. And didn’t your other child graduate early from the academy?” Shibi asked, enjoying the conversation despite his companion.
“Yes, Hanabi is a genin Shi is one of Raido’s team. It is quiet in my home these days.” Hiashi said, his voice a little wistful.
“Yes, I understand that.” Shibi agreed, “How long have you been alone?” he asked.
“My wife died when Hanabi was five and Hinata was ten. I have managed for almost ten years alone. And you?” he returned.
“Ahh, I have been without my woman for nearly twelve years now. We have done well, ne?” Shibi asked, as the conversation faded.
The sound of voices rose from behind the tall fence and just as the two turned toward it the gate opened and two bikini clad young women entered.
“Oh,my. Okyou there are already people in here.” The shorter of the two said, standing near the pools edger. Her companion stopped next to her.
“Emi, it isn’t a private pool. That’s why we are wearing our suits. Hello, are you two together?” the taller one asked.
“No. We are just enjoying the water,” Shibi answered smiling in an open way, his dark glasses slightly steamed up.
“Oh, good. Let’s join them, Oklyou. Can we?” the small brunette said.
“Yes, there is plenty of room, isn’t there Hiashi?” the Aburame male said.
The two young women giggled and slid down into the open part of the pool.

Naruto lifted the board up and attached it at the corner brace.
He tightened the bolt and dropped off the ladder and stood back. It was finally finished.
And with time to spare.
“Is that what you have been working on for so long?” Sasuke asked from behind him.
“Yep. Are you surprised?” he said not turning from his construction to suffer her glare.
“Surprised? By you, Dobe? Koibito will love this, and I imagine our other children will also. But, it is a little much for a couple of kids isn’t it?” Sasuke asked moving over to sit on the largest of the swings that hung from the cross post.
There were four of them and two slides and see-saw. Over to the side a small spinning platform was nestled near a climbing construction and there were two balance beams of varied heights.
“Nope. Cause remember they will be having their friends over to play with them. Our kids are going to have lots of friends. I mean, Sakura and Lee will bring their baby, and Kiba and Hinata. And don’t forget Neji and Shika, they will have theirs. It is only a matter of time before this yard is full of little ninja’s.”
“You have never gotten over the whole 'thinking big' thing have you? Well, when you become Hokage it will be a good idea to have lots of kids looking up to you. Come on, we have an appointment.” Sasuke said rising from the swing and crossing the playground.

The hospital in Konoha was the same as any other hospital worldwide. Clean and smelling of disinfectant, and usually a pure white color.
Sasuke hated hospitals, having only memories of such places that equated to traumatic events in her life. This time would hopefully be different.
Tsunade had left them to change and then they would do the tests.
Neji was only a curtain away and then on the other side of the room Hinata and Sakura were behind other such obstructions.
Naruto was staring at her so she climbed out of the deep blue dress and let it slide to the floor.
The crisp cotton of the hospital gown was cool against her skin and before she could fasten the back of it, warm hands interceded.
“Naruto?” she asked.
“I just wanted to feel this one more time,” Naruto said, as his hands found the tiny baseball sized bulge under her skin. “It never fails to amaze me.” He said.
“Just don’t fondle me in front of the Hokage. Help me tie this,” she said and the blond took hold of the ties and began to make smooth bows in them.
Neji had no such luck, as Shikamaru was even tenser than she was. She pulled on the gown and reached around to tie it around her expanded middle.
“I wonder why she waited so long to do this,” she said as she climbed on the exam table.
“They just got the equipment last week. It is a new machine and she wanted to do everyone on the same day. They waited until Hinata was feeling better. Apparently your cousin did not take well to her first trimester. How are you feeling Neji?” he asked, and Neji smiled.
“Better now that you aren’t pacing. Calm down, Shika. It is only a sonogram.”

Tsunade followed the Medic team that was rolling the machine into the room and she smiled as she heard the sound of Naruto calling from behind a curtain.
“Hey, Baachan. What is taking so long? I want to see my baby.” And she pointed to the next curtain as she called back.
“Wait your turn Brat. You are last.” And the team rolled the equipment in behind the drape that hid the Hyuuga and the Nara family.
“Well, that will get him griping for at least a week. You do realize we could have waited, don’t you?” Neji asked.
“You were first to conceive, you will be the first to see your child.” Tsunade said, pulling on some sterile gloves and lifting the tube of gel. “Lay back and let’s have a look,” she said as she waved the medics away.
The gel was cold and the equipment buzzed but the display was sufficient to draw your attention away from such things.
Neji and her mate watched the shapes move and shift as the paddle was adjusted over the rise of belly that was now slick with goo.
“This would be the head, and there, that movement is the heart beating. Look at the tiny hand, I think your baby is sucking its thumb. I am not sure what the sex is yet, do you want to know?” Tsunade said focusing the tool another direction to expose certain things.
“Neji, I don’t care what it is, but do you want to know?” Shikamaru asked.
“Yes. But, can we keep it between us, Hokage?” she asked. Tsunade looked up and smiled in a conspiratorial way.
“That is for you to decide. I already know, but no one else needs to, until you have it. This child is a . . . . .”(*)

Naruto was being more patient than anyone would have expected, but that was because he knew more than he had told anyone. He just needed to have the Hokage confirm what he had conjectured.
The examination of Neji was followed by Sakura’s and then Hinata’s.
They would be last, but he could wait. He got to sit here and watch Sasuke squirm about in the very exposing cotton gown and that was more fun than he’d had all day.
“I wish she would hurry. How long could it take, it’s just sound waves bouncing off of an object. They travel fast enough. Naruto, stop drooling. Gods.”
“I’m not. I am just a little hungry, aren’t you? I mean I was thinking about a big plate of BBQ. Do you want to go get some later? You are the one that is always hungry these days.”
BBQ was too tempting to the Uchiha and Sasuke closed her eyes as she imagined the taste, texture and aroma of the sweet and sour treat.
“Damn it, Dobe. Don’t talk about food. Shit!” she said, as her stomach began to loudly protest that it was getting nothing of what her mind was enjoying.
“Sorry, love. It was just a question.” Naruto said, not entirely contrite.
“Okay, Brat. Your turn.” Tsunade said, choosing that moment to enter. “Lay down, Sasuru and let’s have a look at what you two have managed to create. I hope it doesn’t have a tail. The villagers would do some pretty tragic things if that happened.” She teased.
The machine buzzed to life and the two Jounin stared at the screen for a very long time.
“It can’t be. Naruto did you do something?” Tsunade said, and they both turned on the blond.
“Not me! Hey!” he said.
“This baby is clearly four months along. But you have only conceived it two months ago. What do you know, Naruto?” the Hokage said, outrage evident in her voice.
“It was conceived the first time, Tsunade. Before you made me dispel my jutsu. Sasuke still held it then, and it has grown since. But you should look harder. I think you may find something else.” The blond said, and the Hokage turned back to her screen.
The baton moved over the area and she squinted at the display.
“Oh, no. This is bad, Naruto. Sasuke, we have a little problem.” She said as she turned to the worried looking Uchiha.

(*) And you are all part of everyone else. But, don’t worry its coming very soon.

::::Normally, I write new chapters or sub chapters during my lunch hour, on this one I have more material than I can use and its funny how I am picking and choosing some of the ones I use. I hope everyone is pleased with the outcome. I may put some of the unused pieces up as separate one-shots or an epilogue or two.

Next chapter is in two parts 36a and 36b - The first is titled The answers to the cliffhanger – What is going on with the baby?
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