The house had gone silent besides the distant creaking of the rocking chair and the chilly winter breeze outside rattling the naked trees. Hinata stood in the dark hallway with a hand clasped over her mouth to muffle her sobs of shock. She had been standing outside the nursery door during most of the couple's argument and had to keep her composure and not slide to the floor as her emotions washed over her. It nearly broke the girl's heart to hear Sasuke break down and cry as he gave Naruto the explanation for his sudden cold behavior. And while the conversation was not really any of her business Hinata remained with her feet glued in place in front of the door and her ears taking in every word.

To be able to remain as calm and collected as Sasuke wanted to appear to be would be unnatural if it was true. Sasuke was still young and holding onto his fear from the past and bundling it with his future. As time grew closer to his due date Hinata could sense the worry he was holding in from the way she would catch him staring off into space with an unhappy grimace or the way he was slowly trying to re-built the invisible wall between him and his friends again in a desperate need for that security. She knew all of what Sasuke had said on the opposite side of the door was what he had to have been feeling deep inside and to hear it finally said aloud straight from his own mouth gave her relief. The wall had come down between him and Naruto even if there were still chances for Sasuke to knowingly put up another wall at some point to hold on to the security blanket that had always been his sanctuary but that was not the only cause of Hinata's sobbing.

"She is our friend. Not our wife!" Those words rattled inside her head as she tried to keep quite and not ruin the boys tender moment. Hinata moved away from the door as she heard footsteps and hurried back to her room and pretended to be asleep after wiping her face of tears. Her bedroom door clicked open and someone made their way over to the bed and sat beside her before moving a few stray hairs from her face.

"I guess all that yelling didn't even bother her." Naruto placed the back of his hand on her forehead," Humph, her face is a lil pink and she feels hot, I wonder if she's getting a cold."

Hinata felt Naruto move from the bed and place another blanket over her from the closet before sitting down again. She had to keep her eyes clench tight even though it was awkward having Naruto looming over her and not being able to say anything. It seemed like forever before Naruto leaned down and kissed her gently on the lips. Hinata could have died.

"Kiba really is lucky to have you Hinata. You're such a cute girl and you're even cuter when you're sleeping. Not to mention you have a great rack…I shouldn't say things like that, its weird enough I'm actually watching her sleep like some pervert I don't have to whisper things about how hot she is while I'm at it!" Naruto slapped his forehead." But Kiba is a pretty lucky dude even though we made it pretty easy for him to swoop in and take you. I was always too busy chasing Sakura to notice you since you were always so shy. But that sure has changed. I guess you were always right in front of me and I didn't have a clue. And Sasuke has so much pride he let you slip right through his fingers and fall into Kiba's lap. But I guess like Sasuke said just having you around is enough, but that doesn't mean I don't wonder about what could have been if things were different. I guess we will never know but I also have to thank you. You have helped the two of us stay together and Sasuke has gotten to be softer because of the kindness you've showed him, but I should probably get out of here anyway. Ha-ha Sasuke will think I was doing something dirty to you if I stay in here any longer. Night Hinata-chan."

Naruto left the room and Hinata bolted upright in bed. Situations like this were so confusing which is why she had been trying to move out. The blond may have been right in saying that Sasuke's ice queen attitude was apart of her decision to move while Sasuke was also partially right to say she wanted to start her own life and get out of the way of their growth of as a family but neither suspected that she was holding onto old feelings just like them.

To live under the same roof as her two former loves was strange and to hear Sasuke's comment about being their friend not their wife put it all in perspective for her. Naruto was her first love and she may always hold onto those feeling because they had pushed her to become the woman she is working towards becoming. Someone strong and self assured; but those past feelings have a down side. If she can never fully let go and give all she has to Kiba what will happen to her current relationship?

And Sasuke was an unexpected love. He was never the type of guy she could have seen herself being with before but once he saved her from living on the streets or having to move back home they have developed a special bond. Sasuke has let her in even more than he has let Sakura or Naruto in all the years they have been friends. When no one else is around he has told her about his family, how much he misses them and what they were like and even how he wishes he could have introduced her to his mother. And when it came to his pregnancy she was more involved than Naruto was allowed to be. She was there for the babies' first kick and is the only person besides the doctor that Sasuke allows to see his new body. Although he and Naruto share a room he never would let the blond see him without something to cover his body while he can stand shirtless in front of Hinata and not care. He will make comments about how the girl would rather see Kiba or Naruto since they both still had abs and no stretch marks but she could walk over and touch his bare stomach and think nothing of it.

But the comfort she had found in both boys allowed her to take care of them and feel for them as if she was their wife. She would cook and clean and connect with them in ways similar to a married couple. And if the boys wanted to have Kiba join them here things would have to change. Kiba's animalist protectiveness wouldn't stand for the odd closeness between the three of them and she was unsure if she could be ok with that. She propped herself on her pillows and continued to wonder about the offer Naruto and Sasuke were going to offer her soon. If only the three of them could stay the way they were without change forever or having to mold themselves to social normality.

That afternoon

Hinata rolled over in bed and groggily opened her eyes. She looked around her bedroom and what had happened earlier seemed like a dream until she saw the new blanket covering her. She held it up to her face and remembered Naruto's kiss and blushed. What he had done had to be on impulse but it had been the first time he had kissed her by choice unlike when she had done her confession and forcefully pulled him in an taken one. She shook her head. Naruto may have wondered about what could have happened between them or even her and Sasuke but in reality he was still with Sasuke and she was still with Kiba who is the only man she should want any kisses from. She flopped back on her pillows until she saw the clock sitting on her night stand.

It was almost three o'clock in the afternoon! She had never slept that late in her life and she hurried out of bed and tried to look presentable by throwing on a long sleeved shirt with jeans and pulled her hair back into a ponytail after rushing and brushing her teeth. When she was done she stepped out of the bathroom and saw the boys sitting on the couch in their pajamas surrounded by junk food and a pile of movies.

Caught in the middle of a mouthful of cookies Naruto gave a loud gulp before speaking. "Hey Hinata, you finally got up huh. You looked really wiped out so we let you sleep in today. And we took care of breakfast and stuff." He held up an empty carton of ramen, "Look I even got Teme to eat some ramen. I guess the kids and I have similar taste."

Sasuke slurped the last of another container, "Well I hope they don't take after you too much I can only take so much craziness in my life. And sorry Hinata, I know I shouldn't have let him talk me into eating this crap but he does have excellent persuasion skills. And I just couldn't resist." he set the container of ramen of the coffee table and invited Hinata to watch another movie with them.

Naruto and Sasuke scooted apart on the couch and Naruto patted the space in between them." Come on its not like we bite, why are you looking at us all funny?"

"Oh, umm… no reason." Hinata shyly sat down and after pushing play Naruto put an arm around her shoulder as he usually did and Sasuke placed a hand on her knee.

Hinata tried not to feel awkward and watch the movie but her mind would drift off and have her thinking about things she shouldn't have. Things like how Naruto's sent was so much lighter than Kiba's or how the touch of Sasuke's hand on her knee was sending shivers up her spine or how nervous she was. Until now this had seemed normal she might have even put her head on Sasuke's shoulder or held Naruto's other hand but now she felt like she had to sit stiffly and not move in order to not cross some line. Before she woke up the boys were spending time as a couple but the second she comes around they change and start to focus on her as if she was their partner. Moments as simple as this should have been between just Naruto and Sasuke but yet again she was put in the middle. She was aware of how before she was used as a way to stay away from unsavory issues or conflict but without noticing they had all taken it to the next level and she had been included in their relationship.

At some point the boys were going to ask Kiba, her real lover, to come and join them in this house and what would he think of their odd relationship? Would he feel threatened if he saw them sitting like this? He was her boyfriend and could he actually stand to know that while she would kiss and make love to him she would be here and have two other men that were allowed into her bed? Sure she didn't have sex with either of the boys and had only shared a few innocent kisses here and there but would Kiba feel this was all as innocent as she would try to make it appear or would he think they were acting out what each of them wanted. Like having their cake and eating it too.

The movie ended and the credits were rolling as Naruto stood to stretch and Hinata took the chance to move away. She started clearing away all the trash from the boys pig out when it seemed Naruto remember they hadn't asked her about Kiba moving in with them.

"Yeah, I almost forgot .Hinata me and Sasuke have something to ask you." He helped her clear away some of the empty bags.

"Oh, r-really?" her mind went blank. She already knew what the question was going to be but she still hadn't come up with an answer.

"You apparently didn't hear it but this morning me and Sasuke got into a bit of a fight but it all got settled and Sasuke actually suggested asking if Sakura and Lee wanted to move in since they are planning on getting married. They are going to need a bigger place than either one of their tiny apartment and there are more rooms here than just the three of us and two on the way can ever use."

"Ummm…t-that's very true." her hands stated to shake as she moved over to the kitchen and put the trash in the trash can.

Naruto followed her and put his trash in too before he sat on the counter as Sasuke waddled his way over to the dinner table." Sasuke didn't even stop his nice streak there he wants Kiba to come too! It's hard to believe but Sasuke's heart of stone has turned to jelly and its oozing all over the place. So what do you think?"

Hinata slowly turned around and saw Naruto's excited face. He looked like a dog who had brought in a dead bird and was presenting it like it was a diamond necklace to it's owner. The only thing she could do was fake a smile and give him the praise and approval she knew both of them were expecting from her.

"Thank you, thank you! I don't even know what to say , I'll ask Kiba right away but I already know he is going to say yes."

Naruto leapt off the counter and started to spine with the girl around the kitchen as Sasuke sat at the table and felt his heart drop slightly. Somewhere in his heart he had wished for Hinata to say no and have nothing change but to see her and Naruto so happy made him push the thought aside. This was going to be good for everyone.

Three weeks later

Everyone was bundled up to withstand the cold as they tried to move all of the boxes inside. Kiba wore a leather jacket that was trimmed inside and out in thick brown fur and boots as he shook himself in a doglike manner to get the bits of snow off of himself. He dropped the last heavy box in the living room and looked out at the sea of mess.

"God it's cold out there! Luckily this is the last of the boxes because it looks like the weather is about to turn bad all over again." He wiped his feet before trying to make his way through the maze of boxes and furniture." I have to say I'm pretty impressed that we got all of this done in just one day."

Everything had happened fast but in a very short amount of time after being asked Sakura, Lee and Kiba had packed up their stuff and were ready to move in. The weather had been unpredictable and today was no exception. It had started out with the sun shinning enough to actually start to melt some of the knee deep snow and ice. So seizing the opportunity to get the move over with Kiba pulled some strings and got two moving trucks ready that morning to take his things and the others up to Sasuke's house on such short notice. At first there was trouble getting up the hill but afterwards things went smoothly and box after box was packed into the living room. Man power was on their side as Naruto, Lee and Kiba carried each box to the front door where either Hinata or Sakura would take them and stack them in the living room but before long there were so many boxes the friends couldn't see one another.

"I'm starting to regret this whole thing already." Sasuke stood in his bedroom doorway in his pajamas and a bad case of bed head. He was stunned to see what had become of his home. "I mean look at all this stuff it looks like a furniture store threw up in here!" Sasuke had gone to sleep since he couldn't help with anything and waking up to his house being a wreck put him in a sour mood.

After the sound of tumbling boxes Hinata called out to the raven, "Sorry Sasuke-kun. I guess we all under estimated how much stuff three people would need to bring to a new home." Hinata unknowingly had stacked herself into a corner in the kitchen behind a dresser and a wall of boxes labeled as clothes belonging to Sakura. She was dressed in a floppy winter hat and a long sleeve purple shirt that was caught on something poking out of one of the boxes.

The Hyuga girl looked around at her prison of boxes and shouted to the others, " But now that we have everything inside…what are we going to do with it all?"

Sakura yelled back, "We paid the movers extra to take away the furniture we are not going to need so I would think it would be easier if we took all the big items into the rooms and left the small stuff for later. School might be open tomorrow and Lady Tsunade needs me to come in so I at least need a bed to sleep in tonight."

"Don't you mean we need a bed to sleep in?" Sakura blushed at Lee's comment as she stood smushed side by side next to her fiancé in the middle of the living room.

Sakura was wearing a plush jacket and boots that matched her pink hair making her look like a giant pink marshmallow. And Lee stood pressed against her wearing a winter version of the same outfit he always wore. The two of them did their best to make their way to Hinata as Naruto yelled out next.

"I don't care what we do with this junk as long as someone gets me away fro this friggin dog! I'm stuck over here with him and I'm feeling really claustrophobic."

Akamaru gave a booming bark in agreement as he and the blond stood somewhere between the front door and the kitchen. Kiba made his way slowly through the boxes toward the loud whimpers of his best friend and unearth the animal and Naruto who in return helped in finding the others. After grouping together they were able to clear most of the boxes into their designated areas and planed on making further changes that weekend.

So far Sakura and Lee's section of the house was nearly finished. The were going to be taking over another wing of the house that still needed some work since no one had inhabited that section in years while for now Kiba would just stay in Hinata's room with her. And although Kiba and Akamaru had always shared a room Hinata pointed out how all three of them wouldn't fit in her bed so the dog would be staying in Naruto's old room which had been cleaned out since there was an ocean of junk the blond had never bothered to clean up since he started sleeping in Sasuke's room. Everyone had gone to bed except Naruto and Sasuke. They were sitting in bed talking for a while since Sasuke had been asleep all day and Naruto was feeling too excited to go to bed just yet.

"This is the first time in such a long time that this many people have all lived here since my family was alive."

"It's a good thing though, isn't it? Why do you look so gloomy about it? If it's the mess we got most of it cleaned up already an-"

"No, no it's not the mess I just woke up on the wrong side of the bed earlier. It's not that." Sasuke avoided eye contact with the blond.

"Oh no you don't. Don't go getting all quite and secretive with me again Sasuke if you have something on your mind just spit it out."

Sasuke sighed ," I'm happy to have everyone here it's just that…the last time I was this happy…the last time I was this happy was when my brother…"

"Sasuke, don't tell me your scared of being happy because of what happened back then. I know that was a really dark time for you and I cant tell you to forget about it because I know you never can but this whole situation is different."

"No it's not Naruto. He took my family once and since then even though I wanted to re-build my clan I've always been terrified he could come back and take it all from me again. I think if that happened again… I couldn't go on living anymore."

"Don't talk that way." Naruto took Sasuke's face in his hand forcing him to look him in the eye," I'm always going to protect you. If he ever does deiced to show his ugly face around here he's going to wish he never stepped foot in this village again. No one is going to get in the way of what we have here and we are all here for you. We are all here because of you and there is no way in hell we are going to let anyone hurt you."

Sasuke gave a big smile that made Naruto blush, he had never seen more than an annoyed smirk on the Uchiha's face before and it both scared and aroused him in a way. Everyday Sasuke was becoming more friendly and every day Naruto was starting to see the side of Sasuke Hinata saw from the beginning. The good, loving and fearful side that he shielded from the world. Naruto smiled back before he leaned in for a long kiss. It was hard to think that this was all happening as he sat up and put an arm around Sasuke's rather large waist. Memories of their one night stand came flooding back and Naruto's heart started to race. Of course they weren't going to be sleeping together again tonight but to be so close to Sasuke made him want to relive that special moment. Hopefully next time though he wouldn't be the one getting knocked up though, he didn't know how he could feel if he had to get as big as Sasuke one day. But having more sex in the future and having more children and expanding this family would be worth a few stretch marks