Trollmia's ramblings: I know – it's been like forever since I updated this story…. But I hope you'll be satisfied with this chapter. I tried to make it really long and with both angst, romance, cuteness and humour.

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Tsunade sat at her desk; she was still baffled from what she just heard from the Uchiha. Never in her life would she have thought that the stuck up brat would have made such a turning point in his life. She called in Shizune; she needed to talk to her friend about this.

"Tsunade-sama, you called?" Shizune said as she peeked through the door.

"Come in Shizune, I need to talk to you," Tsunade said and waved in the black haired woman into her office.

"Of course Tsunade-sama," Shizune said and came in and closed the door behind her.

"Lock it please and then go over to the archive shelf, under V you'll find something Very strong; we'll going to need it."

Shizune's dark eyes widened and then she sent a scolding look at Tsunade.

"Don't say anything," Tsunade mumbled. "But trust me – we're going to need this."

The Godaime Hokage sounded so serious that Shizune choose to overlook the "stash-thing" and she went to get it. She saw Tsunade put two small cups on her desk.

"It's must be something serious?" Shizune questioned.

"Serious? Perhaps... it's more of a very weird thing and I have yet to fully grasp it and accept it," Tsunade said truthfully and rubbed her forehead.

Shizune watched her friend and leader pour them sake into the two cups and nodded a thank you as Tsunade gave her one of the cups. With a nod they drank the strong rice wine and let out a sound that said it was just that – strong.

"Tsunade-sama, please tell me what is going on," Shizune pleaded.

The honey blonde woman sighed again and looked at her friend.

"Well, you know about Gaara-san and Sasuke-san wanting to wed the former Hyuuga woman right?" Tsunade started.

Shizune confirmed with a nod as she watched Tsunade pour them more sake.

"And we all know about them wanting to be a family and adopt Hanabi-san's daughter as theirs too?"

Again Shizune nodded and took the cup with sake.

Tsunade drank the next cup and Shizune followed her example.

"Well, did you know that Sasuke and Gaara intends to be involved with each other too?"

Shizune's eyes widened and she sprayed sake all over Tsunade's desk.

"Obviously you didn't know that," Tsunade snorted behind a smile. "Well, I didn't either until I called the Uchiha here for a mission. But his news caught me off guard and I let him go."

Shizune wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and she reached for the bottle and poured herself some more sake and this time she managed to get it all down. Dammit – she had never been so surprised in her whole life. This was even more crushing news than Tsunade betting her necklace against Naruto.

"Good news or bad news, Shizune?" asked Tsunade.

Shizune sighed and closed her eyes trying to grasp the new knowledge.

"I really don't know Tsunade-sama," she said truthfully.

But Tsunade suddenly got a mischievous smile on her face, a smile that made Shizune grasp for the bottle again. Her leader was planning something.

"Just imagine if Hinata becomes the mother of the Uchiha's children and Sabaku no Gaara's children... what kind of strength wouldn't they be for Konoha?" Tsunade rubbed her palms together and snickered.

"Tsunade-sama, may I remind you that they are not wedded yet," Shizune pointed out dryly.

Tsunade waved her hand casually. "It's just a matter of time my dear Shizune. From what I saw in the Uchiha's eyes there will not be long until he weds them both and we will have little sand using red heads with the Byakugan and little black haired children that can wield the Sharingan. And with Hinata as their mother their hearts will be just and loving."

Shizune just shook her head but she agreed with the Hokage. The blend of Hinata, Gaara and Sasuke would provide with some strong future ninjas for Konoha village. But even if things were quiet now, there was still the matter of the rogue-Hyuuga. That man was a threat towards Konoha and most definitively towards Hinata.

"But what will the rest of the village say about their union? They are already talking down on Sasuke-kun and Gaara-kun living together," Shizune pointed out.

"Well, they will just have to deal with it or they will have to deal with the Hokage, their leader," Tsunade said lightly before looking really smug.

Shizune really didn't like that look. Nothing sane came out of her friend when she was looking like that.

"What are you thinking about Tsunade-sama?" Shizune inquired.

"Ohh, nothing... nothing... well... now... when do you think the wedding will be held?"

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And with Kakashi being the blubber mouth of the century – the news about the trio getting married was spreading like a wild fire on the savannah.

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Naruto was sulking. He had just learned that Sakura finally had given in to Rock Lee's persistence and given him permission to court her. They were going on a date later this week. Lee wouldn't stop talking about it and it hurt Naruto. He had loved Sakura for so long and when he finally thought she had given up on Sasuke the bastard had returned. But not to claim Sakura as his, no, no... he had chosen the timid little Hyuuga-girl that everyone had thought to be dead. And in all the chaos that followed – it was Lee that finally had caught the strawberry blonde young woman.

So Naruto was sulking. He was sulking at one of Konoha's bars hoping to drown his sorrows in beer. He was on his fifth bottle when he heard someone call his name. He looked up and saw Iruka stand there with a gentle smile on his lips.

Naruto's blue eyes shined up for a bit and invited his former teacher to join him at the table.

Iruka had seen the blond Kyuubi-container sit alone through the window. And the look on the young man's face was not a happy one. And feeling as if he was Naruto's foster-father he decided to make sure that his "son" was alright.

"Hey Iruka-sensei... what's up?" Naruto asked as he waved to a waiter to come to their table. He asked for two new beers and received a nod in return.

"I saw you sit here alone and I thought I would drop in and ask why," Iruka said straight forward. He kept his dark eyes on his "son", reading in every bit of facial expression.

"Well... I don't know if you heard it yet..." Naruto said and gulped down the rest of the beer in his bottle.

"Heard what? Oh you mean the wedding between Sasuke, Hinata and Gaara? I think it's rather cute that Sasuke have decided to wed them both."

Beer shower!!

"WHAT??!" Naruto yelled once he found his wits and voice again.

"Ehh, that was not what you were thinking about?" Iruka asked.

"Hell no!! But what do you mean that Sasuke-teme is marrying Gaara?? I know they wanted to be with Hinata... but each other?" Naruto continued. Now Sasuke and Gaara was going to have each other too and not just the timid little Hinata. 'Great, as if I needed to know that.. especially now when I feel like shit run over!!'

"I'm sorry, I thought you knew already," Iruka excused himself. If this was not bother his son, then what could it be? But before he could ask Naruto more questions he could see Gai run pass the window shouting something about his protégé Lee and his newfound love with a certain pink haired kunoichi and then everything fell into place for Iruka.

Naruto made a face and grabbed the new bottle of beer and gulped it down with fierce speed.

"I see... so she chose Lee then?" Iruka mumbled softly as he watched Naruto's face contort in pain.

Naruto swallowed and wiped his mouth.

"Yeah... she chose the thick browed green beast... DAMN IT!! I really thought I could get her but then the bastard had to show up and cause havoc all around the village and then the green assed Lee just had to cut in and take her away!!" Naruto ranted on.

"Naruto, have you never thought of anyone else? I mean you have only seen Sakura for so long but you should know that there are other girls in this village that is just as cute and beautiful as her," Iruka tried to soothe the ranting blond.

Naruto snorted and took a few more gulps of his beer. At this rate he would be smashed drunk before three o clock.

"Have any chicks in mind Iruka-sensei?"

"Well, there's Yamanaka Ino... Tenten..." Iruka mumbled.

"Che... You might think I'm blind but I'm not. Ino has a thing for Choji even if one wouldn't believe it and Tenten is never going to give up on that bastard Neji even if he's queer and never would look at her as a woman, just a sister or something."

Ok, that was news to Iruka. Then he really had no idea who he should suggest to the fox-boy.

"I'm sorry Naruto.."

"Don't worry Iruka-sensei... just let me get drunk and I will forget all about it in the morning," Naruto said with a grim face.

Iruka doubted that. Perhaps he should talk to the Hokage about this, that woman could perhaps help out in finding a girl for his Naruto?

"Somehow I doubt that," Iruka said and placed a hand over Naruto's. "But don't give up. There is someone out there for you too, you just haven't found that person yet."

Naruto smiled a bit at this. "You know how damn cliché that sounds?"

Iruka chuckled.

"Yeah... I know... but it is the truth you know."

"If Iruka-sensei say so... I will believe in it," Naruto said and looked sincerely at his former teacher. "If Iruka-tousan says so.. I know it is the truth."

Iruka felt his eyes moisten and he got up and walked around the table and hauled Naruto to his feet and hugged him tightly.

"And never forget this Naruto. I will never lie to you... I promise you this as your father," Iruka whispered in Naruto's ear.

Naruto was moved by Iruka's words and he hugged the tanned man tightly.

"Thanks, Iruka-tousan."

"Do you want me to stay here with you?"

"Nahh, I will get drunk but the damn furball will never let me get through a complete drunken state. I will be alright in a couple of hours or so," Naruto said as he moved away from Iruka. "Besides, don't you have some paperwork to do?"

"If you need anyone I always be there for you Naruto," Iruka said.

"I know and I am grateful for it."

And with that Iruka hugged the young man once again and then left, leaving Naruto to drown his sorrows once again. The blond was just too damn stubborn sometimes but Iruka knew he had to talk to someone about this but he really didn't know who he could talk too.

The answer came just right outside the bar in the form of a certain Uchiha Sasuke.

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Sasuke had met up with Gaara and Hinata just before they were about to leave the glade with Asahi. He told them about what happened with the Hokage and they all laughed together. It was not always you could shock that person out of her wits. Especially not when she had said she had a mission for you.

So Sasuke didn't have to go on a mission which made Hinata sigh in relief. She knew that she eventually would have to start taking missions herself and that both Sasuke and Gaara were going on missions too, but for now – she just wanted them to be together. So much had happen in so little time that she had yet to adapt to it all.

She saw Gaara carry the little baby gently in his arms and Hinata herself was between both Gaara and Sasuke. She could feel Sasuke's arm go around her shoulders, keeping her close to him. She had to admit – even if things had been rushed the last month and a half – she felt as if she belonged. For once in her life she really belonged somewhere.

They had decided to go shopping before they got home and thus of course making a lot of people stare at them as they walked through the village of Konoha. They had no idea of what had spread through the streets as they walked calmly towards the nearest shop. But what they did notice was a blond practically being thrown out of one of the bars. Sasuke released his hold on Hinata's shoulders and ran towards the blond.

"NARUTO!!" He shouted as he caught the whiskered faced man before he fell to the ground.

"Ehh... Teme... w-what [hic are you d-doing [hic here?" Naruto mumbled as he grabbed hold of Sasuke's shirt to keep himself somewhat steady on his feet.

"Naruto-kun, what happened?" It was Hinata's soft voice coming from behind and Naruto swirled around to look at the timid little Hyuuga.

"Hinata-chan... I heard [hic about the g-good news... c-congra... congr... what ever that w-word is [hic you know..." Naruto smiled foolishly. "S-so... you're going to be married to these two g-goons[hic I'm haaaapy for ya..."

"Che, he's drunk of his ass..." Sasuke stated. "Let's take him home before he hurt himself."

"Gaara-kun, go head and take Asahi-chan and the groceries home. We'll be home shortly with Naruto-kun. He needs our help," Hinata spoke softly as she grabbed one of Naruto's arms and put it over her shoulders and noticed that Sasuke did the same on the other side.

Gaara nodded and managed to do a couple of hand signs even with his load and teleported back to their house. And he left before he could hear the people surrounding them mumble something about an insatiable Hyuuga that needed three men to satisfy her needs.

Unfortunately for the people there was one that did hear them and it was not Sasuke nor was it Naruto. It was Hinata that heard them and it made her sad and angry at the same time.

"Sasuke-kun... please take Naruto-kun home," she whispered softly but there was a tone that said that you should not go against her.

Sasuke nodded and teleported back to the house without questioning his future wife.

Hinata closed her eyes and swallowed a couple of times. She had heard the whispers and they had been none too kind. She didn't care of what they said about her, but the whispers also talked ill about Gaara, Sasuke and Naruto and that was nothing she would tolerate. She took a couple of deep breaths before opening her eyes again.

And then Hinata turned around to face the people.

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It was Tenten that brought the news to Neji as he sat in Hiashi's old office trying to sort out everything that had happened after Hinata's supposed death. He looked at the weapon's master as if she had grown a second head.

"Hinata-sama... did what?" He asked again.

Tenten sighed and told him the story once again.

"I said that Hinata went crazy and made almost a whole block paralyzed, and with that I mean she cut off their chakra points so they couldn't use their arms and legs, only because the people said some bad things about the Uchiha, Gaara and Naruto. She just went crazy. One man said that she looked like an Amazon with the voice of a banshee and then she shouted something about never talking down on her fiancées and friends again. And according to another person, she also stated that they could say anything they wanted about her, but never about her friends.

Neji dragged his fingers through his black hair. This was bad. What would the Hokage think about this? Surely Hinata would be punished for this kind of action? And how the hell had his little timid cousin found such courage to perform such an act in the first place?

He needed to talk to the Hokage and he needed to talk to her now.

"Thank you Tenten. I'm glad you told me," he said and rubbed his eyes. "I need to go to the Hokage tower now. I need to speak with Tsunade-sama."

Tenten nodded but you could see that she was a bit sad. He still didn't see her. Now she was just a messenger and before that she was his team mate and companion but never anything else than that. 'Why can't you see me?' she silently asked as she disappeared in a pillar of smoke.

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Hinata appeared in their home just fifteen minutes after Gaara and Sasuke. Naruto had been put to bed and Gaara was just going to give Asahi-chan her bath when Hinata arrived. Sasuke looked at her and she blushed darkly.

"What happened?" asked Sasuke as he walked over and put his hands on her shoulders.

"Uhm..." Hinata looked down. How could she explain this to her mates? "I... I'll tell you l-later? R-right now... c-can you make some tea Sasuke-kun?"

Sasuke nodded and placed a soft kiss on her cheek before turning around and go into the kitchen to carry out her wishes. Something had happened just after he had left with Naruto but he didn't know what it was. But he was confident that Hinata would tell them once she was ready to do so.

Inside the bathroom you could hear an infant's laughs and gurgles as Gaara tried to give Asahi her bath. She splashed water all around her, drowning both herself and one of her father's in water. Not to mention the floor and the walls surrounding them. But Gaara didn't mind. Never in his life had he thought that he would enjoy this kind of thing, but being with Asahi, taking care of her – it was the best thing ever. And thoughts of having more children suddenly felt very exhilarating.

Gaara had now something that he never had before – a family. Sure, he had tried to form some bonds with his sister and brother, but they still feared him for the creature that he once was. This was something completely knew. He had a soon to be wife that accepted him without hesitation, he had a soon to be husband that also accepted him and he had a daughter that seem to love to drench him with water. Gaara couldn't be any happier at this very moment. He smiled softly as he picked up Asahi from the tub and cuddled a large towel around her body and carried her into Hinata's room to get some clothes for the child.

Gaara could hear Sasuke ask Hinata about what happened but she didn't answer him, instead there was a familiar sound of someone roaming around in the kitchen and suddenly Gaara could feel a knot form inside his stomach. He was worried. But he swallowed it down as he found a clean diaper and clothes for Asahi. He talked softly to the girl as he did this just to keep her calm, but also to keep himself calm.

Once Gaara came into the dining room he walked over to Hinata and placed the newly bathed girl in Hinata's arms and moved to help Sasuke with what ever he was doing in the kitchen. He had a bad feeling about this.

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Neji watched in horror as he recited the story that Tenten had told him. He could almost hear the fate of his cousin as he told the story to the Hokage. But instead of looking grim and ready to deliver a death sentence to his cousin, the Hokage had begun laughing. And I do mean laughing, like a maniac. Her laughs roared throughout the halls of the Hokage tower, alerting both people and other creatures that resided in it.

"H-Hokage-sama?" Neji stuttered.

"DAMN IT!! That girl is just too much. I never thought she had it in her but damn…!!" Tsunade wiped a few tears from her eyes.

"Ehh?" Neji just looked dumb.

"Ohh… Kami… that was good…"

"H-Hokage-sama?"

Tsunade giggled a little bit more before she cleared her throat and looked the new Hyuuga-heir in his eyes.

"Don't worry Hyuuga-sama, nothing will happen to your cousin. Those petty little bastards just got what was coming for them. I am sure they will not do anything and if they do – they will have to deal with me," Tsunade said.

"B-but…" Neji started.

"But what Hyuuga-sama?"

"But she hurt citizens of Konoha?"

"Yes, and they most likely deserved it. You should be glad that your cousin finally can take actions of her own. It will prove that she's a strong kunoichi that will take shit from no one!"

Neji bit his lip. He was still worried about what would happen after this. Tsunade could almost see his worry and she stood up and walked around her desk and put a hand on his shoulder.

"I know you worry about your cousin Neji. But trust me – this will only gain Hinata-chan more reputation as a ninja. She will be known as a force to be reckoned with and not the frail little heiress that barely could say two words without stuttering. And since I'm the ruling head of this village – I will not punish her for this. She's going to be alright."

Neji nodded and he trusted his leader. But still….

His doubts were cut off when Tsunade began to giggle again. And this time there was another sound blended with the giggle. He looked up and saw a white haired man with a wart on his nose stand outside the window.

"Damn – don't tell me that…. That the little Hyuuga-girl did that??" the white haired man asked as he tried to keep his some what calm face.

"She did… she's tough…" Tsunade confirmed.

"Jiraiya-sama," Neji gasped.

"The one and the same… Congratulations to the new title… Hyuuga-sama," Jiraiya bowed. "Words and news travel fast these days. I'm glad you finally made it. And I can see that you found that scroll that removed your curse-seal."

Neji's hand flew up and rubbed his forehead in a pure instinctive manner, but the seal was gone. He was no longer under the influence of the main branch. He was the main branch now.

"I also heard that you have removed all the curse seals on the other Hyuuga's as well. A good choice my young man. You will have their loyalty forever now." Jiraiya said as he climbed through the window. "Now say… is there something good to drink in this joint or what?"

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Naruto rubbed his head. Dammit – his head was hurting. There had been a very few accounts when he had suffered from a hangover but none had been as severe as this one. He opened his eyes slowly only to see that he wasn't somewhere he recognized.

He rose slowly from the bed as he took in his surroundings. He knew the smells and he knew that Gaara, Sasuke and Hinata were around. But there was a fourth smell he didn't recognized and he scratched his blond head a bit. But since three out of four smells were familiar he was sure that he was at Sasuke's place.

"How do you feel?"

Naruto's head shot up and saw Sasuke stand in the doorway.

"I just wonder who ate cat-shit with my mouth…" Naruto mumbled.

"I can understand that. You were pretty drunk when we picked you up from the street," Sasuke said and walked over to Naruto. He handed him a glass of water and two pain killers. "What happened?"

"Just needed to get wasted for once," Naruto said as he took the offerings and gulped them down in two seconds.

Sasuke sat down next to Naruto on the bed. He looked at the blond with dark, sad eyes.

"Are we still friends Naruto?" he asked.

"You really need to ask me that?" Naruto snorted.

"Yes… I did tried to kill you… remember?"

"Dammit Sasuke!! Of course we're still friends. Otherwise I would have kicked your butt into Konoha prison by now," Naruto growled.

"Then if we're still friends… please tell me what happened."

Naruto rubbed his eyes before drinking the last of the water. "I really don't know if I should tell you…"

Sasuke gritted his teeth before asking. "Please?"

Naruto sighed and looked at his long lost best friend. "You really want to know?"

"Yeah," Sasuke answered.

"I lost her… I lost her to Lee," Naruto said.

Sasuke blinked. What was Naruto saying.

"Lee was so persistent that Sakura-chan gave in. She's dating thick brows now."

Sasuke blinked again as the information passed through his grey cells.

"You're kidding me?"

Naruto shook his blond head. "Nope… they're dating now."

Sasuke inhaled deeply. He had really thought that Sakura would turn to Naruto now that he himself had found both Hinata and Gaara. But obviously he was wrong.

"And you have Hinata-chan and Gaara… Ino is doing that thing with Chouji… Neji is queer and Tenten is in love with that said queer and Temari is with lazy ass Shika… And I am alone… again."

Naruto looked so devastated that Sasuke couldn't help it. He put his arm around Naruto's shoulders and pulled him closer.

"Dammit Naruto… you should never think like that. You are never alone. You will always have us and you know it you damn fool!!" Sasuke hissed.

Naruto laughed softly but let the raven haired man comfort him. It felt good. He always had felt a connection to Sasuke. They were brothers no matter what blood they carried.

"Yeah, I know that… but Sakura-chan has always been my love… and now she's taken… then who will I pick to try and court now?" Naruto mumbled.

"I don't know Naruto… but I'm sure you'll find someone. Someone better that deserves your love."

Naruto sighed as he relaxed.

"Get back to bed. Let those pain killers do their work now… ok?"

Naruto nodded and let Sasuke move him back down on the bed. But before Sasuke could leave Naruto grabbed his wrist and made him look at him.

"Thanks Sasuke."

"You're welcome, dobe."

T B C

I know everything goes very slowly… but I have not given up on this story yet. And I know that a few just put their fingers in their throat about the Sasuke/Gaara relationship along with Hinata. Now this is my story and I will write it as I please. There have been warnings and if you do not like it, don't read it.

Pairings so far.
Sasuke/Hinata/Gaara – this we all know.
Shikamaru/Temari
Chouji/Ino
Lee/Sakura
Hinted Kakashi/Kurenai.

Now Naruto is all alone… since I love the blond I want him to have someone… ideas?