Final chapter. I'm kinda sad that this has come to an end and yet I'm relieved too. One less story to worry about lol. But I hope those of you who have stuck with this enjoy the ending and that it suits your tastes. Had to make it extra mushy and stuff just for all my wonderful readers! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or Supernatural, they belong to Kishimoto and Kripke who are gods among men!

Warnings: Slash/yaoi (male/male pairing), AU, hinted M-Preg (male pregnancy).

Pairing: Castiel/Naruto

Chapter IX

Falling into the Future with You

Naruto watched with a trained eye as his child tightened her grip on the kunai in her hand, feeling a sense of pride as he watched her concentrate. A trait from her father it seemed although she had many of his traits as well. But he loved his precious Akiko, his perfect little angel. She was beautiful and pure so much like Castiel, but also fiery and passionate like Naruto. Her hair was brown like the angel's with faint blond highlights and she had Castiel's shade of blue eyes which seemed to stare into your soul (more traits of her father). But often hidden from mortal gazes were a pair of soft downy wings, twitchy fox ears and a bushy tail giving hint to her mixed heritage. She was truly stunning and wonderful, neither Castiel nor Naruto could be happy with their daughter.

Scrunching up her nose slightly, the six year old carefully judged the distance of her target before taking a deep breath and flicking her wrist like her mother taught her. The kunai hit close to dead center and Akiko beamed widely in success. She quickly turned her pigtails bouncing with her movements exclaiming, "Did you see that Dad? I did it!"

"I did. That was pretty good Aki," Naruto praised reaching out to smooth some of her curls, "Your Father would be proud of you too."

"I miss Father, when's he coming home?" Akiko pouted.

"Soon Aki, your Father's coming back from a hunt with your Uncle Dean and Sam. Remember he called and promised he'd be home today," Naruto consoled his child gently. Akiko was greatly attached to her father and it was sometimes hard for them when Castiel had to leave either to deal with matters in Heaven or to aid the Winchesters on their hunts. Not to say that she resented the brothers because of their need to have Castiel around sometimes, Akiko loved Sam and Dean like her uncles. She also adored Bobby like a grandfather, but there were times where it was difficult for her to understand why Castiel needed to be away. Yet they endured as best as they could and Akiko was always happy when Castiel returned home.

"I miss him," Akiko sighed her ears and wings drooping a little. Naruto smiled gently, "I know Aki, I do too. But your Father always comes back home like he promises and tells you lots of stories or brings you gifts. He loves you very much, we both do."Akiko smiled and hugged her dad's waist feeling a little better.

Noting the time, Naruto yawned, "We should probably call it quits for today and get dinner started ne? I'm starving!"

"Aww! Come on Dad! Just a little longer?" Akiko begged. The blond demon lightly yanked on one of her pigtails, "Sorry squirt, it's getting late. You don't want to end up falling asleep before your Dad gets home do you?" Akiko quickly shook her head her curly pigtails flying everywhere. Naruto snickered, "Didn't think so. Besides, we have all day tomorrow."

Akiko sulked a bit while Naruto merely tweaked one of her ears and ushered her inside, walking the familiar steps to the kitchen. Opening several cupboards and the fridge, he tried to figure out what to make for dinner while his daughter washed her hands at the sink. Blowing some bangs from his face, he grunted, "So what should we have for dinner?"

"Ramen!" Akiko cheered. Naruto chuckled, "Sounds good to me. Beef, chicken, shrimp or pork?"

"Pork!"

Still laughing, Naruto grabbed two cups of instant ramen from the cupboard knowing that Castiel wasn't going to be pleased with them later. And while instant wasn't as good as it used to be nor did it come close to Old Man Ichiraku's ramen, it was still ramen and he had eaten it too long to give it up. And it was a trait that he passed to Akiko much to Castiel's annoyance. Dean loved to joke that the reason Akiko was addicted to ramen was because of Naruto's constant craving for it when he was pregnant with her. It wasn't even the instant ramen, but the real deal that Naruto constantly made Castiel fetch from half way across the world.

"Dad! The kettle's whistling!" Akiko exclaimed in alarm. Naruto blinked out of his daze and quickly pulled it off the burner, pouring the boiling water into the foam cups before closing them again. Parent and child both glanced eagerly at the clock waiting the required two minutes for the noodles to cook. No one could say that patience was a strong point for either Uzumaki.

A second after the two minutes were up, father and daughter immediately dug into their meal with gusto making it rather obvious that they were related. Neither spoke as they noisily slurped their noodles savoring the warmth and taste of their favorite food. Two more cups were made before they were finally sated and full, both finding themselves leaning back in their chairs patting their stomachs. Stretching Akiko sighed, "Now what?"

"Guess we could watch a movie," Naruto suggested.

The young hybrid didn't need to be told twice as she jumped up with a squeal and rushed to the living room leaving Naruto shaking his head in amusement. He threw the empty ramen cups away and washed their chopsticks before following. He grinned when he saw Akiko putting The Expendables in the DVD player, realizing that Castiel might chew him out later for letting their child watch such a violent movie. But he was training her in the shinobi arts anyway and she will eventually want to hunt with the Winchesters, so he didn't see a reason to be so overprotective.

Naruto's features softened as Akiko hurried over to sit with him on the couch, squirming under his arm to curl against his side, blue eyes wide and eager. Using the remote he started up the movie and sat back relaxing into the cushions. As they watched the opening sequence, Naruto contemplated his life and everything that he went through that led up to this moment in time. And if anyone asked him was it worth it, he would always reply that it was. Since Akiko's birth, Naruto felt that it was finally time to let go of the past and of his guilt. He had a family now, a fresh new start to a new life and he would no longer allow the burdens of his old life weight him down.

"I guess it's true what they say," he thought kissing Akiko's head causing her to giggle, "Having a child can change your world."

It was just as the movie was beginning to draw to a close that the sound of a familiar engine coming up the drive caught their attention. Akiko's ears perked and she cried out in joy as she scrambled off the couch while Naruto placed the movie on pause, standing to follow her. Akiko rushed to the door and threw it open before bolting out into the yard toward the Impala. Scurrying around the beautiful machine she threw herself into Castiel's arms with an enthusiastic yell, "Father! You're home!"

The angel smiled gently as he held his daughter close and kissed her forehead, "Yes, I have returned as I promised."

"About time, she was growing anxious," Naruto joked as he walked over giving Sam a hug and patting Dean on the shoulder, "How was the hunt?"

"Pain in the ass. Some followers of Lucifer's trying to raise him again so that he can bring about the end of the world and kill you off, blahblahblah. Same shit, different day," Dean complained. Naruto chuckled understanding why Castiel saw fit to get involved. No doubt the angel's protective instincts took hold when he realized what these demons were planning. Naruto shrugged, "You'd think they'd learn by now."

"Apparently not. But I gotta admit, I think I was most surprised by the fact that Cas decided to ride with us rather than just popping back over here," Sam commented. The blond fox grinned, "I think he's starting to grow fond of the Impala."

Dean returned the grin, "Well my baby is one hot piece of American muscle. How could he not like it?"

"Yes, it's full of lovely memories especially the back seat."

"Dude! Don't even think about it," Dean protested, "You aren't having sex in the back of my baby!" Sam twitched before placing his hands over Akiko's ears to block out the conversation, much to Castiel's relief. He did not want his child's innocence spoiled.

"Who says we haven't already?" Naruto snickered, "In fact, it was where Akiko was conceived."

"Dude!"

"Naruto, please desist from your attempt to rile up Dean and corrupt our daughter," Castiel ordered. Naruto pouted turning big eyes to his mate, "Awww, but it's so much fun to tease him. And plus, Aki's fine. She has no clue what we're saying."

Akiko merely blinked her hearing still muffled by Sam's hands, curious as to what they were discussing but not enough to ask. Castiel's eyes narrowed slightly, "Naruto, you will stop."

"Alright, alright," Naruto sighed, "You two going to stay here?"

"No," Sam replied taking his hands off of Akiko's ears, "We're gonna head over to Bobby's, says he's got another hunt for us and has already pulled out some information for us to look over."

"Alright then, you two be careful and call us if you need anything," Naruto offered as Castiel moved to stand next to him. Sam nodded replying that they would. After a few shoulder pats, a man hug or two, kisses on cheeks from Akiko, the Winchester's got back into the Impala and waved before driving off. Carefully setting Akiko down, Castiel ushered his family inside the hour late.

"Aki, why don't you go wash up and get ready for bed? Your Father and I will be up to tuck you in soon," Naruto ordered gently. Akiko nodded smiling, "Okay Dad!" Watching her scurry off Naruto detoured to the living room shutting off the TV and DVD player before tidying up a little. Castiel watched him his head tilted to the side before walking over and hugging his mate from behind, nuzzling his hair, "Tadaima… I'm home."

Naruto smiled leaning back into him, "Okaeri… Welcome home. Something about you speaking Japanese makes me grin."

"I thought you would appreciate the sentiment," Castiel replied.

"Oh I do. Takes me back a bit… I appreciate it."

"Forgive me for being away for so long," Castiel sighed. Naruto shrugged turning in his hold and nuzzling his neck, "It can't be helped Cas. You had things to take care of, duties that you must attend to. Especially now more so than before considering Michael was forced to give up his position of power and Heaven is still struggling to bring order after that civil war."

"Yet I'd rather spend my time here with you and Akiko," Castiel murmured kissing his cheek, "You are my family and the most important people in my life."

"Well as long as you keep coming home I don't care how much time you spend away. I just want you to return home."

"Of course. It's late and we need to tuck Akiko in," Castiel advised, "Although I'm not pleased that you allowed her to stay up so late especially for a violent movie." Naruto merely grinned and shrugged heading upstairs sensing the angel following close behind. Walking into their daughter's room they were pleased that she was just climbing into bed having changed and washed up.

Settling on one side of her bed, Naruto gently laid her back and tucked the covers around her while Castiel plucked a book from her collection which was organized neatly in a bookcase. Carefully he sat himself down on the other side of the bed and opened it while Akiko wiggled and scooted closer to her father. Akiko loved it when Castiel read to her and neither parent could deny that it was comforting part of their routine to spend with their child.

Castiel hadn't understood at first why Naruto wanted him to read to Akiko since she was still a baby at the time and he commented that she wouldn't be able to understand words properly for another year. But in the end he obligated his mate, unable to deny the blond or their daughter. And as it turned out, reading to their child became something the angel treasured; the happiness in her features and her smile which was so much like Naruto's was worth it.

Naruto relaxed, his ears swiveling toward his lover as he began the story, his tone deep and soothing in quality. After a while Akiko yawned, her body beginning to relax while her eyes slowly drooped purring quietly when Naruto stroked her hair. She was completely out by the time Castiel was done, her parents carefully placing kisses upon her forehead before departing from her room as quietly as possible.

"You should shower, you smell like blood," Naruto advised his lover as he began pulling out their night clothes. Castiel nodded gathering a shirt, briefs and sleeping pants before walking to the bathroom. When Castiel had finally made the decision to settle down with Naruto, the angel learned to become accustomed to human necessities such as eating, bathing and sleeping. It was certainly a different change of pace, but not in a bad way and it became sort of a luxury for him.

As the shower started, Naruto changed into a pair of boxers and a muscle shirt to combat the warm night before slipping under the sheets. Groaning in relief as he allowed his muscles to stretch and relax, he turned on the TV to the Weather Channel, curious over the forecast for the next day. Maybe they could go out and spend the day together if the weather was good since it was summer break for Akiko and Castiel didn't have any pressing missions or hunts to tend to. Or maybe they would go to visit Bobby and the Winchesters.

"Guess we'll have to see," he thought.

When Castiel stepped out of the bathroom clean and refreshed Naruto was watching Man vs. Food on the Travel Channel making a mental list of the restaurants he wanted to visit and try their food. Smiling at the angel, he turned off the TV and set aside the remote as Castiel slipped into bed, cuddling against him.

"It's suppose to be nice tomorrow so I was thinking we could spend the day with Akiko and do something fun," Naruto remarked. Castiel ran his fingers lightly along his mate's arm thinking for a moment before replying, "I think it's a favorable idea. I have missed both you and Akiko, so it would be nice to spend the day together."

"Then that's what we'll do tomorrow," Naruto yawned relaxing, "But for now sleep sounds really nice. It's been a long day."

"Rest Naruto, I will see you in the morning."

"Mmm, goodnight. I love you."

Castiel's features softened as he placed a chaste kiss on his lover's lips, whispering quietly, "I love you too." Holding the blond demon close, Castiel closed his eyes limbs becoming lucid as exhaustion crept up on his consciousness. Before long he too fell asleep lulled by the warmth and breathing of his other half, secure in the knowledge that they were safe. Their lives were by no means easy; they were creatures of legend frozen with eternal youth, hunters of darkness and shadows. They would never be able to remain in one place for too long and forming bonds outside their family would difficult if not rare although Bobby and the Winchesters were the exception.

Either way, eternity was difficult and challenging. Peace is a concept that will come and go since neither Castiel nor Naruto believed that Heaven was done with them just yet. But despite the ups and downs that they will endure, as long as they had their family they would be ready to face the feature no matter what it threw at them. They were soul mates and they would endure the test of time not as two parts, but as a whole.

The End.

Again thank you all who have stuck with this story and endured my insanity! I appreciate it and you have my love!

~Seth