She paced back and forth… back and forth… back and forth…. The waiting was the hardest part. She wanted to know… she had to know… and soon… or else she would just- just scream!

She let out a loud, deep, frustrated sigh and stared at the door, willing it to open. Just as she was about to give up and go home, the door slid open. Tsunade, the Hogake and head doctor of the village stepped in and smiled widely.

"It's just as you thought, Hinata," Tsunade said. "Congratulations. You're pregnant!"

Hinata nodded, and left without saying a word.

At the Hyuuga manor, a large celebration was in the making. Having heard the news of his coming grandchild, and new heir for the family, Hiashi announced to the whole village the celebration of a life time. No one cared who the father was… as long as the baby could become a strong leader for the Hyuuga clan. No one that is, except…

"Hinata! Who is it!" Neji demanded of his cousin. Since his encounter in the Chuunin exam with Naruto, Neji had felt guilty for his past treatment of Hinata, and came to be like an overprotective big brother. He was genuinely concerned for her well being, and refused to watch her endure her pregnancy alone.

"Neji-niisan," Hinata said quietly, "if Father and the rest of the family are not concerned, then you shouldn't be either."

"It's not easy to raise a child," Neji said calmly. "Not alone. Not even when you've got the fortune of the strongest clan in the village to support you. If he really cared about you and the baby, he'd have married you before this even happened. So please, tell me, so I can make him do his job."

Hinata rubbed her belly and smiled a little. "I think he's already done his job."

She walked away from Neji, who just shuddered at the thought.

Hinata escaped from the chaos inside and sat on a large tree branch outside her room, gazing up at the stars, and thinking about her future. "Hinata?" asked a sweet, feminine voice. "What are you doing out here alone? The party's inside."

Kurenai, her sensei, hopped out of the window and joined Hinata on the branch. "What's troubling you? This seems like such a happy occasion for you and your family."

"I am very happy. This baby is a wonderful gift from the man I love. But…"

"But what?"

"But… I'm so afraid to tell my family who he is," Hinata whispered.

"Are you ashamed of him?" Kurenai asked.

"No!" Hinata answered immediately. "No! I want to shout my love for him from the rooftops! But, what if my family doesn't approve of him? What would they do to him? Could they banish him from the village? Or… would they have him killed?"

"Hinata, they don't seem to care. All that matters is that you have a strong, healthy baby," Kurenai said reassuringly.

"But they won't let just anyone join the family. They know the baby will have Hyuuga blood, and that's good enough. But this man… he may not live up to their standards. If they disapprove, I don't know what they'll do. But at the same time, all I want is to share my joy with him."

Kurenai nodded. "I understand your worries, Hinata. I don't know what to tell you. You must listen to your heart, and do what you feel is right. Just know that all your friends will be here to support you. Whatever you need, don't hesitate to ask."

Hinata smiled a little smile. "Thank you, Kurenai-sensei."

"Hey, Hinata-chan!" Naruto shouted across the room. "I just heard the news! Congratulations!"

Hinata blushed and walked through the crowd to Naruto. "Thank you, Naruto-kun. I'm so glad you come to the party."

"I wouldn't miss it! Sakura, and me and Kakashi-sensei just got back from our mission, and when I heard, I had to rush over! What are you going to name the baby? I like the name Narutomaru."

Hinata giggled. "It's still a little early to be thinking of a name for the baby, Naruto-kun. I'm only a month along; I still have 8 more months to go."

"Oh, well, keep it in mind. And again, congratulations!" Naruto ran off when he saw servants bring out bowls of ramen.

As Naruto walked away, Kiba, Akamaru, and Shino headed over. "So, you won't be part of the team for a while?" Kiba asked. Shino glared at him and a swarm of bugs flew over Kiba's mouth, silencing him.

"No, I guess I won't," Hinata said. "Once the baby is born, I'll be able to be part of the team again, though. I'm sure my father will personally take charge of training the baby."

The bugs left Kiba's mouth after Hinata's reassurance. "Well, I've got to hand it to you, Hinata, this is a great party. This has got to be the first time a man has been so happy about his unwed, 17 year-old daughter getting pregnant. Congratulations!"

The bugs quickly returned to shut Kiba up. Akamaru whined a little bit, as if apologizing. Shino nodded his head slightly and said, "He's just not good at talking. Hinata, if you ever need anything, let us know. We're still your friends and teammates. You can count on us."

"Thank you, Kiba-kun, Shino-kun, Akamaru," Hinata said with a bow. "I appreciate it."

The threesome walked away as more food was brought into the room.

"There's the mom-to-be!" someone squealed. Hinata turned to see Tenten, Sakura, and Ino rushing towards her.

"Sorry we're late, Hinata!" Tenten exclaimed. "But we just had to go shopping at get you a gift. We know it's a little soon, but, well, here you go!"

She handed Hinata a box wrapped up in blue and pink rice paper. Hinata opened it and pulled out a small green baby blanket. "Thank you all so much!" Hinata said happily. "You're so thoughtful."

Tenten, Sakura, and Ino waved goodbye and headed off to mingle with the other guests.

"Sis, what's going to happen to you?" Hanabi asked, sneaking up behind Hinata and startling her a little.

"What do you mean, Hanabi?" Hinata asked.

"Well, what's going to happen? Are you going to get married, move out, what? And, they're not going to be mad at you, are they? You know, the family?" Hanabi asked worriedly.

"Of course I won't leave, Hanabi," Hinata reassured her. "The baby and I will stay right here with the family. I'm sure father will insist on it."

"What about the baby's father? Will he live with us too?"

Hinata sighed. "I'm not sure yet. I have a lot of thinking to do before I make any decisions. But I promise you'll be the first person I tell, Hanabi."

"Just promise you'll never leave me, Sis. I need you around still."

Hinata nodded. "I would never leave you alone with Neji. It would be too cruel," she replied with a giggle. Hanabi went skipping off now that she had been reassured, to enjoy all the food the servants had prepared.

Hinata turned around and came face to face with her father.

"Hinata," he said sternly. "Let's go talk in private." She followed him to his chamber and shut the door behind her.

"Yes, Father?" Hinata asked.

"Hinata, I am very happy that a new life will be joining the family. I was just speaking with Kurenai; she told me you were worried about what we'd think of the baby's father. Hinata, I am very proud of you. You have become much stronger in the past 5 years than anyone ever thought possible. You've worked hard, day and night, training relentlessly. You have earned the respect of everyone in the family. Please, believe me when I tell you this: we trust you're decision. If you have found someone to make you happy, then we will all be happy for you. If you don't want to tell us, then don't. I can't force it out of you, and neither can Neji. But I promise you, my darling, whoever it is will be more than welcome in our family."

Hinata nodded in understanding. "Father, it's eating me up inside keeping this secret from you. The baby's father is…"

Suspense! Who is the father? Find out next time- same Bat time, same Bat channel!

Also, please review, but be kind. This is my first fanfiction.