"You will immediately cease struggling or face the dire consequences of soap in eyes." Tenten stilled, vaguely annoyed to hear his voice in this particular tone. Patronizing was not something she submitted to well (if she doled it out with impunity).

"The consequences aren't dire, I don't think."

"Perhaps," he replied, "Perhaps not."

She snorted, stirring in the water as she felt the baby land a square kick to her midsection. He seemed unconcerned, though Tenten knew he'd caught sight of the movement. "Leave it up to fate?"

Neji squeezed the sponge over her head.

Tenten squeezed her eyes shut and voiced her protest. "Hey! What happened to the dire consequences?"

His eyes moved to her middle, as the sponge followed, tracing the roundness of her belly. "She's strong enough to take it."

"It?" Wiping her eyes, she squinted at her teammate. "What about his mother?"

"Her mother appears to be handling the situation just fine."

Tenten's mouth opened to debate the point, then closed with an audible click. "You."

"Me."

Her eyes narrowed. "When did you develop a sense of humor?"

Neji paused, tilting his head to the side. "I have no idea what you are talking about."

For a moment, Tenten couldn't respond. Then she broke into laughter. "For a Jounin, you're a horrible liar."

The barest hint of what could be a smile touched his lips. "In most cultures, the ability to be honest is revered."

"In most cultures, men don't bathe their pregnant girlfriends."

"In most cultures, women don't refuse marriage proposals."

"In most cultures," Tenten said, "Marriage proposals aren't made under the influences of drugs."

He frowned. "I can admit I was drunk, but the intention was sincere. You have refused me every time since."

Inwardly, Tenten smiled. Outwardly, she tilted her chin up, defying him even as he sits taller than she reclines. "I think the clan is more pissed about this than you are."

"You are correct," he admitted, squeezing the water out of the sponge as he rested his hand on her stomach.

"They also seem rather fond of the letter H." Tenten kept her face unreadable as Neji looked at her, raising one eyebrow. "Myself, I'm much more fond of say, R, or..."

"Or T, I suppose." Neji settled back on his heels. "N?"

"We are not naming our child after Naruto," Tenten started.

"I prefer Naruko myself," Neji said, face as composed as her own, "Though if you insist..."

Her astonished laughter filled the tiny bathroom, spilling out into the night. For everything complicated in their lives, at least one thing would never be – the sound of her laughter as she realized once again how life really was precious.