EPILOGUE

Uzumaki Naruto, Rokudaime Hokage of Konohagakure sat at his desk and purposely avoided even a glance at the mountains of paper that seemed to constantly grow. His predecessor ignored them and drank sake, but this Hokage ignored them for an even better reason…

"Ramen-sama, I won't tell anyone if you don't." He grinned mischievously as he slurped some more noodles.

He had sent KB Naruto to Ichiraku for take-out and after fighting with each other and using his wind-scythe on the stubborn clone who wanted all the ramen, Naruto was able to relax and enjoy the finer delicacies of life. He snickered as he reached for a piece of barbequed pork, all the while thinking of how happy his stomach was going to be. Life couldn't have been better (except for the bloody paperwork), he had regained his cheerful mood now that one week had passed since his wife woke up, Neji was back to 'normal', and Gaara was visiting that afternoon. It was almost time for the Kazekage to arrive and Naruto just wanted to savour his ramen one more time before Gaara tortured him with a dull policy meeting. He held up his spoon that contained the delicious soup and brought it closer to his mouth…

"Hokage-sama."

"Shit!" The soup went right down his robe, and Naruto frowned at the ANBU who had suddenly appeared. "I was busy Haseo!"

"I can see that Hokage-sama," his aide responded, smiling widely beneath his mask, "all that paperwork has lessened since last night."

"Shut up, I don't want Shikamaru to get wind of this," he dabbed at the stain on his robe, "what news do you bring anyway, and it better be good?"

"Your wife's cousin's wife is about to give birth."

"My wife's…cousin's…" Naruto's looked slightly confused and Haseo groaned inwardly.

"Ten-Ten, Hokage-sama."

"Right…I knew that of course," he scratched the back of his head, "What about her?"

"Hokage-sama…she's having a child!"

Naruto grinned at him, "Yeah…she's pregnant!"

"For God's sake sir…the baby is about to remove itself from her uterus!"

Naruto stood up in shock, "Don't they only have babies at night?! It's in the afternoon…this is much less dramatic! Haseo…?!" There was no ANBU in sight.

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"Dammit!" Ten-Ten shouted, "Sakura you never told me it would be this…arghhhh….painFUL!"

"Did I have to?"

"Yes!" Ten-Ten barked, panting heavily as they wheeled her into the delivery room. Her contractions had started four hours ago and as they became closer she eventually allowed herself to be carried to the hospital. Neji and Hinata ran along side her stretcher as they made their way to the room. Neji's palms were actually sweating and he was nervous and excited at the thought that in a little while he would be a father.

"OH KAMI!"

"Just continue breathing Ten-Ten," Hinata prodded.

"Why the hell would I stop Baka?!"

"Ummm…well…I actually meant…whatever…sorry," Hinata looked at her helplessly and sighed, "I don't know what to say."

"You…[pant…being…[pant…here…[pant…is…[pant…arghhh…[pant…enough…[pant…so don't…[pant…shit…[pant…argh…[pant…speak!"

They arrived in the delivery room and Sakura shooed Hinata away from Ten-Ten, while Neji remained at his wife's side, tightly gripping her hand. He watched Sakura's head disappear at the foot of the bed and at that moment he didn't feel like a jounin who had seen countless scenes. He really did not want to witness the birthing process and the thought of what Sakura was doing made it really hard for him to keep down the damn instant ramen he had for breakfast.

"Nejiiiiiiiiii!"

"I'm here Ten-Ten."

"You ain't ever coming near me again!"

"…"

"Arghhhh….answer dammit!"

"Ten-Ten, I was not aware it was a question." Now I know what Hinata-sama felt like, Neji thought. I don't know what she wants me to say.

"Baka!" Ten-Ten growled at him.

"Okay you're not dilated enough as yet," Sakura stated professionally.

"Oh no, I'm feeling too much pain right now, so you better get this baby out of me!" A kunai flew into the wall behind Sakura.

"Ten-Ten," Sakura reprimanded, "I told you no weapons!"

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Naruto arrived as Ten-Ten was pushing, and after sneaking into the room, he got a glimpse of the process and snuck back out. He felt nauseous and leaned against the door with his eyes closed. I'm a shinobi, I'm a shinobi, I'm a shinobi he chanted to himself.

"Ha! Hokage-sama is scared." Naruto recognized the voice immediately.

"Shut up Kiba."

"Hey…I brought chips for the new baby," another voice added.

"Choji…you eat too damn much."

"But Ino, it's for the baby!"

"The child can be likened to a lepidopteran, after exiting his cocoon, he will require foods rich in nutrients, hence the chips will not be a recommended choice."

Naruto smiled and opened his eyes, "Wise words Shino. I don't know what a lepido is but the words sound wise."

All the former rookies had gathered in the waiting room, as well as other well-wishers and family members (in other words a lot of Hyuugas). It was good to see that much support and Naruto only wondered briefly how they all happened to be off missions. He filed that thought away to look into later.

"Aren't you going back in Naruto nii-san?"

Naruto inhaled deeply, "Konohamaru. I am a man and I will go in."

"Suuu-re," the cheeky teenager said.

Naruto responded by pushing the door open and stepping quietly inside. His timing was perfect and he watched Sakura fully remove the child from a gasping Ten-Ten. She proceeded to wipe off the amniotic fluid that stuck to the now wailing babe, and after snipping the umbilical chord, turned to face Neji.

Neji's hand felt non-operational after Ten-Ten squeezed the life out of it. So when Sakura smiled at him and held out the child, his hands refused to move. His wife tiredly motioned for Sakura to draw closer with the babe, while she levelled a deadly glare at her husband. Tenderly Ten-Ten took hold of the wailing bundle and the first thing she did was to part the blanket Sakura had used as covering; time to see what gender the baby was. Neji remained frozen in his position but his eyes followed every action and widened when the blanket was pulled away.

"It's a girl," he said softly and smiled at his wife, "So you were right after all."

"Disappointed Neji?"

"Never."

They both stared at the little girl who still continued crying. Ten-Ten counted her toes while Neji counted her fingers and they both marvelled at her thick black hair. By the time they had finished examining her features the small room was filled with half of the Hyuuga compound and over a dozen friends.

"Get out!" Sakura barked, and everyone gave one last longing look before going outside. Only Naruto and Hinata remained.

Neji watched as his little girl finally started to open her eyes and then he stumbled back in shock.

"What is it Neji?" Hinata asked.

Neji gulped, "She has…she has…No, it's impossible really."

Ten-Ten smirked at him, "What's impossible?"

"The genetic make-up of a Hyuuga…the divine kekkei-genkai…the dominant blood."

"What of it Nei?!" Ten-Ten asked.

Hinata edged closer and her hand flew to her mouth in shock. The little girl had the byakuugan in one eye, while the other pupil was brown. She never thought such a thing was possible. Neji was still muttering and Hinata picked up on the words 'impossible', 'absurd', 'divine' and 'the kaiten will be incomplete.' Ten-Ten smirked some more at him before winking at Naruto. Hinata turned to see her husband fighting back laughter.

"Ha!" he shouted, "Neji is so freaked out he doesn't even notice."

"Alright Naruto," Sakura said sternly, "You and Ten-Ten have had your fun…kai."

Neji blinked in amazement when he realized that it was all a genjutsu. He moved closer to his daughter and noted with relief that both eyes were pearly white. He then glared at Ten-Ten who only pointed a finger at Naruto.

"It was all his idea," she said, "after I told him about our ongoing argument he came up with the plan."

"Did you know about it Hinata-sama?" Neji demanded.

"Not at all Neji-niisan…not at all," and Hinata joined her husband in laughter.

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The next day many visitors filtered in and out of the room; everyone baring gifts. Sai who had just returned from a mission made a beautiful sketch of the couple with their child, Naruto gave a pack of instant ramen that earned him a glare from Neji. Choji gave chips, Ino gave flowers, the Naras gave deer ointment, the Aburames gave an ant farm and the Inuzakas gave a puppy, which Ten-Ten told them to keep for 10 years before they give it back. Gaara created a sand castle in the corner of the room, Kankuro made a doll and Temari gave the couple a miniature fan. By the end of the day the hospital room was lined with numerous gifts and the happy couple was grateful for each one, even those that seemed to be given in jest. By the third day Ten-Ten was released and the couple went home with their new family member.

Stepping inside their home, both Ten-Ten and Neji paused in shock. Their home had been completely renovated and a large banner stretched from one corner to the next, displaying in pink – "Welcome Home Baby Hyuuga." Beneath the banner were all members of the newly named 'Seal Council' along with Hiashi and Hanabi.

"Welcome home Neji-niisan, Ten-Ten-san and Baby-chan," Hinata said while bowing slightly.

"When did you all do this?" Neji asked, noting that all the walls were mended and a brand new chair had replaced the kunai-infested one.

"While you were at the hospital Neji-niisan," his cousin responded and he smiled in gratitude. Looking at the faces of those who were involved in releasing him from an emotional prison, he was filled with gratitude that could not be expressed.

"Thank you…all of you," and everyone knew that his words went beyond just gratitude for a newly decorated room.

"What's the baby's name?" Sakura asked and everyone moved to stare at the small girl who slept in her mother's arms.

"Hinata," both parents responded and the Hyuuga leader gasped in surprise.

"Really?" she asked as tears formed in her eyes.

"Uh-huh," Ten-Ten asserted, "we figured that with all the pain you put us through in the last month, the name was fitting."

Naruto scrunched up his face, "Won't we get confused calling them both?"

"Hinata-sama is Hinata-sama," Neji said pointedly, "and Hina-chan is Hina-chan."

"Kawaiii," Tsunade said with a huge smile, "Hina-chan sounds so cute."

"There's something else," Ten-Ten said while moving to sit the new chair, "we want all persons who were apart of the 'Seal Council' who met in Jiraiya's living room to be god-parents."

"Umm…isn't that a lot?" Shikamaru asked with a yawn.

"Nope," Ten-Ten grinned at him, "it's perfect."

"We are honoured," Shikaku responded with a bow, "I will treat Hina-chan as the grand daughter I'm still waiting to have."

"Oh man…come off it dad," his son sighed and closed his eyes, "you're asking for something far too troublesome."

"It feels like I have a grand-daughter and not a grand-niece," Hiashi said with a smile while looking at Neji, "Your father would have been very proud at the beautiful life you have created." Neji smiled in response as he accepted his uncle's words.

"Hokage-sama." The sudden appearance of an ANBU shinobi gave everyone pause.

"What report have you?" Naruto asked, and his aide held out a scroll, "A message?"

"Hai Hokage-sama, it does not seem to bring highly important news that affect the village, but it does appear important nonetheless."

"Thank you," Naruto responded and the ANBU disappeared. Everyone in the room watched as he opened the message, scanned through its contents, smirked and scanned through it again.

"What news Naruto?" Lee asked.

"Neji I am glad that I have fulfilled the promise I made to you 13 years ago," Naruto said while looking directly into the pale eyes of his friend, "and although we still have to deal with what the Hyuuga council's reaction will be when they eventually find out, I can assure you that Hinata and I will not go back on our word."

"That is right," Hinata said and moved to join hands with her husband.

Naruto then turned to stare into the green eyes of his former team-mate. "Haruno Sakura."

"Hai."

"I made the promise of a lifetime, and I am pleased that on this day when I can declare one promise fulfilled," he held out the small scroll to her, "I can also fulfil another one that I made."

Sakura gasped in shock and reached slowly for the item he held, "Is it really…?"

"Read it."

Sakura scanned through the contents as tears filled her eyes and then read it aloud.

"Oi Dobe,

You were right when you told me 6 years ago that I can not rebuild a Konoha clan outside of Konoha. I still say 'whatever'. Anyway I'm planning to revisit the Uchiha grounds so you can prepare whoever the hell you want to capture me after I'm done. I hate to admit it to a baka like you, but you were right about another thing…I'm tired of wandering.

Uchiha"

"Wow," Lee said eventually breaking the silence that had descended, "What are you going to do with him?"

Naruto rubbed his forehead, "I have no idea. The bastard can't just waltz in here after betraying the village."

"Just about everyone hates his guts," Hanabi stated.

"Rightfully so too," Shikaku added.

"Yeah," Naruto smiled, "It'll be fun to put him through hell."

"Can we trust him Naruto?" Jiraiya asked seriously.

"Of course," and Naruto looked at Sakura who still seemed to be in a daze. Her heart had never given up on Sasuke. "Even if he won't admit it, he did help out in that whole Akatsuki mess."

"And yet he didn't return to the village after defeating Itachi," Shikamaru pointed out.

"I can't explain how the bastard's mind works," Naruto shrugged helplessly, "but I'm not going to deny him re-entry. I still consider him to be the brother of my heart."

The sudden fussing of Hina-chan brought everyone's eyes to the little girl who looked around curiously. Her little white eyes struggled to take in everything around her before she opened her mouth and wailed.

"Someone's hungry," Ten-Ten stated and left the room in order to feed the baby privately.

"You can feed out here Ten-Ten," Jiraiya called out and immediately regretted it as someone's gentle fist blew him to the far corner of the room. Neji's byakuugan deactivated when he noted that the sannin was out cold.

Hinata smiled and headed for the kitchen, "I'll make some green tea. Everyone please relax and let's not talk about betrayals or anything sordid for today. It's a happy day and everything else will eventually sort itself out."

Everyone nodded in agreement and the conversation turned to whether or not Hina-chan would master the kaiten on her own or perhaps she would ignore the byakuugan and become a weapons mistress. Hinata walked away chuckling at Neji's look of horror at the mere suggestion that the byakuugan be ignored. She started preparing the tea as her mind went back to the events of the past month. It had started with a hasty decision in bed one morning and eventually ballooned into uncertainty, pain and distress, before eventually ending in laughter and smiles. She had not told anyone of the argument she had with Hyuuga Hikurashi two nights ago and the way he threatened to force her out of her position as leader of the clan. She also decided to let it remain a secret, the manner in which she had threatened him in turn and chased him out of her home with her byakuugan in full force. He would not dare to question her authority again.

She stacked the tea cups on a tray and for a moment breathed in the fresh scent of brewed green tea. She felt proud that her cousin was pleased with the sacrifice she had made, and she was comforted that all went well when he had received her gift.

THE END

A/N:

Wow…that epilogue was a bitch to write but I love it. I love this story and feel a little sad that it's done.

Anyway…I thank everyone who read this story through to its end. I hope that the pleasure I had in writing it was felt in each chapter. I'm not paid with money to write fanfiction, but the pleasure I feel knowing that my story was read and enjoyed far outweighs any payment I could ever receive. So even if you do not leave a review…I thank you. smiles

I apologise for any grammatical/typo errors (I personally hate them) which may have presented themselves at any point in time. My beta-reader was available for like 2 chapters and then she disappeared.

I would like to do a prequel but after reading the sad chapter 382 that came out last week, I don't think it's possible tears. Don't count on a sequel…that will never happen. I already have a few one-shots boxing around in my head, so if anyone is interested they can look out for those.

Anyway…PM me if anyone needs clarification on any points in the story. I hope I tied up all loose ends.

Ja ne. Thanks again