"And that's how I single-handedly stopped a psycho from disrupting the peace," Naruto finished, a proud glow in his blue eyes. A small blue-haired 4 year-old squealed in glee, before throwing herself at him. Naruto caught her just in time.

"Daddy hewo!"

Naruto laughed, hugging his daughter closer to him, "That's right, Reena, Daddy's a hero."

"Dobe, what kind of garbage are you telling our kids this time?"

Naruto turned quickly, glowering at the newcomer. Sasuke stood in the doorway, his arms crossed tightly across his chest. A pink-haired 2 year-old rested in his arms pulling at his dark hair, much to her father's annoyance.

"It's not garbage, Teme…its facts," Naruto stuck his tongue out at the hybrid, turning his attention back to his small audience.

"Naruto-san, is that really true?"

Naruto grinned down at the 6 year-old Tenji, ruffling the boy's long, chocolate brown locks. The boy humphed in irritation and glared at his 'uncle' with pupil-less lilac eyes. Sasuke and Sakura's 7 year-old, Kei, rolled his eyes exasperatedly, going to stand beside his father.

"Of course it's true, Tenji-kun, have I ever lied to you?"

The boy gave him a dead-pan look, "Do you really want me to answer that?"

"My dad always tells the truth, hippie," Naruto's oldest stood, his own lilac eyes flashing with challenge. Tenji's eyes narrowed as he stood up, facing his cousin.

"What'd you call me, Minato?"

Minato scoffed, "What, are you going deaf? I said…"

The 6 year-old never got to finish his sentence as Tenji pounced on him, quickly hitting his nerve points. Minato cried out in indignation and rage, kicking the boy off of him with as much force as he could muster.

"Whoa, cut it out you two!"

Naruto stepped in between the two feuding children, giving each of them stern looks. Tenji huffed, glaring at his cousin before he sat down by 7 year-old Rue, who had fallen asleep halfway into the story. Minato glared back at Tenji as he undid the nerve technique. Reena gripped her father's hand tightly, her large blue eyes full of tears. Naruto tried to soothe the 4 year-old down before she began bawling.

"Way to break up the fight, dobe," Sasuke said, surprise interlacing with his bored tone. Naruto turned to glare at his best friend.

"And thanks for all the help, teme," Naruto growled sarcastically. Sasuke chuckled, shrugging his shoulders. Then he cursed as Kairi began to pull at his hair again, giggling all the while. Naruto snickered loudly.

"Huh? Is the story over?"

Everyone turned toward the sleepy Rue, who raised her eyebrows in confusion, "What?"

Reena started giggling, rushing over to the dark-haired young girl and throwing herself onto Rue. Minato laughed at his little sister's antics, sitting down beside Neji's 5 year-old daughter, who had been solemnly watching the whole fight with serious chocolate-brown eyes.

"Minato-nii-san?"

Minato turned toward his other cousin, "What is it, Kimi-chan?"

"Don't fight with Tenji-nii-san anymore…please?"

The blonde looked over at his long-haired cousin and the two boys locked eyes. Tenji blinked a few times before reluctantly nodding his head and Minato mirrored him. He grinned down at Kimi, pulling on one of the twin buns on her head. The girl squealed, falling down in a heap into her cousin's lap. After which, he began tickling her mercilessly. Reena, spotting her brother and cousin having fun without her, quickly got up from a disgruntled Rue and skipped over to the two.

"Me next, nii-san! Me next!"

Naruto chuckled before drawing his attention back to his best friend, "So, what's going down? I thought you were spending time with Sakura-chan."

The dark hybrid said nothing but he noticed that Sasuke had gone just a little bit paler than usual. A blood-curling scream the next second had Naruto fearing for his friend's life.

"SASUKE!"

Sasuke groaned, "Great."

Kei looked up at his father, "Mom's angry."

"SASUKE, I THOUGHT I TOLD YOU TO DO THE LAUNDRY WHILE I PUT HIKARI DOWN FOR A NAP!"

"I came to get Kei," Sasuke turned around to face his fuming wife. Kei nodded seriously, looking up at his mom with unblinking green eyes. Sakura's own green eyes narrowed in unbelief. She was now seven months along with their fourth child and had been having morning sickness the past few days. Needless to say, she was not a happy camper.

"Geez, where's the fire?"

A very large and pregnant Tenten came waddling down the hallway, Neji walking beside her. Tenten was only five months along but was twice the size of Sakura. The weapons mistress had almost murdered Neji when they found out that she carried triplets.

"Mommy," Kimi disentangled herself from her two cousins, a delighted smile on her cherub face. Tenten grinned back at her daughter, opening her arms so that she could give her daughter a hug.

Tenji walked up to his father, both wearing identical smirks. Tenten, catching sight of her oldest, bent down and ruffled his hair. The boy gave her an exasperated look, mumbling in irritation.

"Hey guys…Oh, Sasuke, there you are," a yawn interrupted the speaker, who was none other than Shikamaru, "Itachi was looking for you…Seems Kana just went into labor."

Sasuke blinked his onyx eyes a few times. Sakura's mouth dropped open in surprise, knowing that Itachi's and Kana's first child wasn't due for another month. Before the Uchiha could say a word, his pregnant wife had grabbed him and Kei by the hand and dashed down the hall, going much faster than Naruto thought possible for someone with such a large stomach.

"How troublesome," Shikamaru yawned again, "Come on, Rue, your mom wants to go out for a run with the family."

"Do we have to?"

Naruto chuckled in amusement. If there was anyone lazier than Shikamaru it would have to be his dark-haired offspring. A frustrated, feminine yell could be heard around the keep, echoing off the walls.

"SHIKAMARU, YOU LAZY BUM, HURRY UP!"

"How troublesome," the two Nara's said in synch, their shoulders slumping in resignation. The two grumbled out a good-bye before shuffling off, both complaining on their lack of a good nap and how they would have to deal with a troublesome angry blonde.

"Actually, Naruto, we came to get you and the children," Tenten turned to the blonde, a weary smile on her face, "Hiashi is hosting a dinner tonight in honor of Hanabi and Konohamaru's engagement. Hinata wants you to hurry up there so she can get the kids ready."

"AH! I TOTALLY FORGOT ABOUT IT! CRAP! COME ON, CHILDREN! YOU KNOW HOW GRANDPA HIASHI IS IF WE'RE LATE!"

Reena clapped her hands and giggled as her father scooped her up. Minato professionally scrambled up his father's back, clinging to him like a monkey. With a loud "See you later!" the three disappeared down the hall in a cloud of dust.

"We need to get going too," Neji leaned down to whisper in his wife's ear. She shuddered, much to his amusement. She sent a frigid glare in the smirking Hyuga's direction.

"You know, it was that kind of behavior that got me into this situation," she grumbled, beginning to waddle down the hallway. He took his son and daughter's hands in his own, following her down the hall, rumbling chuckles vibrating through his body.

"Have I ever told you that you look beautiful like this?"

"Suck-up," she punched his arm hard, disappearing inside of their room. He followed her in, smirking in response.

Meanwhile, Naruto made it to his and Hinata's room, finding the Hyuga humming to their youngest, a little baby of no more than 3 months old. He bent down to kiss his wife before planting a soft kiss on little Kushina's fuzzy, yellow-haired head.

Naruto made his way to the bathroom with his two oldest children, quickly ushering them in and making sure they were scrubbed clean. Reena took a little longer since she wouldn't stop squirming, squealing when her fluffy pink sponge so much as touched her skin. After he made sure that they were in clean clothes and had passed the 'mommy radar', he got to work on himself. As soon as he was done, he took the sleeping Kushina from his wife so that she could get ready.

"Hey, Dad?"

Naruto snapped out of his trance-like state, turning his attention to Minato. The little boy looked up at him seriously, his moon-like eyes curious.

"What is it, squirt?"

"How do Uncle Lee and Uncle Guy get a sunset to appear out of nowhere?"

Naruto sweat-dropped, rubbing the back of his head, "Well, Uncle Lee and Uncle Guy…they…uh…well…I really have no idea how they do it."

"They said that it was the powew of youth," Reena giggled, swinging her thin legs back and forth from where she sat on the bed. Minato's expression changed from confused to just plain lost.

"Son, listen carefully to your dad now. We never EVER try to figure out what is up with Guy and Lee. Understand?"

"Yes, dad," Minato nodded, his face set into a serious expression. Naruto grinned, ruffling his blonde hair fondly. That ensued a tackle fight which ended with Naruto on the bottom and his two children giggling on top of his back. Kushina had been shifted from his arms to the small crib by the bed. A soft musical laugh drew Naruto's attention to Hinata, who was watching them with glowing lilac eyes. With an ear-shattering squeal, Reena launched herself from the bed and into her mother's arms, hugging her tightly.

"I luv you, mommy," Reena's sky-blue eyes twinkled as she hugged her mother tighter, small dimples appearing on her cheeks as she smiled. Hinata shared a tearful glance with Naruto, her smile grateful and loving.

"And I love you, Reena," she kissed the top of the child's head, laughing when the little girl began giggling uncontrollably. Reena was one of the mostly giggly girls Naruto had ever known.

"Hey, what about me?"

Minato instantly pushed himself off the bed, rushing over to the two females with a pout. Naruto shook his head, running a hand through his golden hair.

"I could never forget my little prince," Hinata kneeled down, taking the toddler into her arms. Minato puffed out his chest proudly, giving his mother a wet kiss on the cheek.

"Mommy, Mommy! What about Daddy? Do you love Daddy?"

The two parents looked at one another, silently communicating with only their eyes, "Very much, Reena."

Naruto mouthed 'I love you more' to his wife to which she responded with a light musical laugh.

"YAY!"

Naruto shot a worried glance over his shoulder at the crib but was surprised to see that Kushina had not stirred. He ran a hand through his hair, chuckling dryly. The tiny baby girl slept like a rock and close to nothing could wake her up.

"Shall we go?"

Bending down, Naruto picked up their still-sleeping infant and nodded, his teeth flashing brightly as he grinned. The family made their way out of their room and down the hall, toward the Hyuga part of the keep. While walking, they passed Gaara, who was positively grinning from ear to ear.

"Did you see what I just saw? Was Gaara actually smiling or was that just my imagination?"

Hinata playfully nudged him in the ribs, "Didn't you hear? Matsuri is pregnant."

Naruto gave a low-whistle, "Wow, the keep is starting to turn into a baby-making factory. Neji and Tenten alone seem determined to repopulate the entire Hyuga line by themselves."

"I heard that, you pervert!"

A fearsome growl had Naruto turning around, stammering out an apology. Tenten waddled past him, bonking him on the head with a well-placed fist. Neji glared at the blonde as he passed, sending frightened shivers down the werewolf's spine.

"Geez, people just don't appreciate good humor nowadays," he grumbled, following his giggling wife and children. Minato cast a pleading glance up at his mother to which she nodded. The six year-old scurried forward to walk beside Tenji, the two boys instantly speaking in hushed whispers.

"Daddy, why Gwandpwa having special dinnew?"

Naruto transferred Kushina over to Hinata so that he could pick up their dark-haired daughter. He planted a light kiss on her forehead, making her giggle.

"Well, Uncle Konohamaru and Aunt Hanabi are getting married," he explained to the attentive four year-old. She nodded solemnly, her blue eyes serious.

"Daddy, did you know Reena-chan going to marry Kei-nii-san?"

"WHAT?"

Reena laughed, a soft tinkling sound, "Daddy's face funny!"

"Aren't you a little young to be thinking about stuff like this?"

The girl shook her head, her navy-blue pigtails whipping around her face, "No, Reena-chan love Kei-nii-san."

"Are you hearing this, Hinata-chan? My innocent little daughter wants to marry that arrogant bastard's arrogant son. Oh, what is this world coming to?"

"Kei-nii-san is nice," Reena pouted, her blue eyes challenging him to say otherwise. Hinata smiled softly back at the two, shaking her head. Naruto looked his daughter in the eyes, amused at how fierce she looked.

"Whatever you say, pumpkin," Naruto ruffled her hair, successfully messing it up.

"Mommy, Daddy's mussing up my haiw!"

Hinata slowed down her pace and stood on her tippy-toes, planting a chaste kiss onto his whiskered cheek. He quickly turned his head and let his lips meet hers. She blushed a bright red, swatting him lightly.

"What?"

Hinata rolled her eyes but her smile betrayed her amusement. Reena tugged on her father's tie, silently begging to be let down. Naruto obliged with her request, setting her lightly on the floor. Smiling, he watched his daughter rush over to her brother and grasp his hand. A comfortable warmth spread over him, heating him from his head all the way down to his toes as he watched his family walking in front of him. He could feel the familiar prickling in his eyes. He reached forward, grasping his wife's arm gently and pulling her back against him. She gasped in surprise before looking up at him with questioning lilac eyes.

"I…I just want to say…T-Thank you," Naruto uncharacteristically stuttered, his ears turning a light pink.

"For what, N-Naruto-kun?"

"For giving me a chance. For giving me a family. For giving me three beautiful children. And for giving me your heart," he whispered so quietly, Hinata almost didn't hear him. Fortunately, she did and tears sprang up in her eyes.

"You don't have to thank me, Naruto-kun…I love you. I have since you saved me from myself all those years ago, showing me that what kind of blood I had didn't matter but the person that I would become did. And I believe it was a fair trade, don't you? Your heart in exchange for mine?"

He nodded, silent tears making tracks down his whiskered cheeks. Hinata smiled brightly, reaching up to give him a loving kiss on his lips.

"Are you two going to stand there all night?"

Naruto and Hinata turned to a smirking Neji, blushes on both their cheeks. They hurriedly wiped their tears away, smiling goofily at each other. Naruto held out his hand and Hinata took it, her eyes gleaming like two silver moons.

"Ready, love?"

"As long as you're with me, I'm ready for anything," Hinata whispered softly beside him, her gaze trusting and sincere.

Naruto smiled, and with a last loving glance down at his wife, stepped forward into the room, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead of them as long as he had this wonderful woman by his side.

*Author's note: It has been a long journey but at last we are at the end. Many thanks to those who stuck through until the end. I hope you've enjoyed it. And thanks to all those who reviewed. Those got me through the writer's block more times than I can count. A fond goodbye to you all. ~bows~