A/N
Another author, whose work i admire, pointed out that perhaps, the flashbacks in here may be a little too heavy, too soon. But, this will be a chapter fic and not a one shot. I've gone back in and added on more than a third additional text and changed a few parts. I hope these revision add to the story. I wanted to detail some of the moments that bring Naruto and Hinata to where they are in Someday. I'm crossing my fingers that this has decent flow and won't simply seem too over the top. I'll try my to keep everyone relatively in character. This is my first fic, reposted. If you read the original 1st and 2nd chapters, they will appear in different portions of the story. I decided to open with the pair I adore most^^
I've been keeping up with the recent manga and I'm both hopeful and a bit sad at some of the direction. But almost a year ago when i found out about Jaraiya's death i stated up the idea. It really took fruit when i heard this beautiful song called someday by Nina, a singer out of the Philippines, which by the way is posted on Youtube under Someday, Anime Couples. The last few scenes to the video got me thinking. But i didn't actually start writing this until i heard The Fighting Dreamer song again. Every time I hear now, I feel like writing. I can credit that with at least half of what I've written. I think about that opening with everyone running around, it was fun and made you want to watch it every bit of it. The plot was really beginning to kicking off, the all the characters had been introduced, with massive amounts of action, cute little chibi's and lots of potential couples, (a must since i love fluff) Those episodes were cool. Any who, I thought Naruto was the best thing since X-men and Inuyasha and hell yeah Power Rangers (lol^^) So here's my contribution to this sites Naruto Archive. There's something wonderfully endearing about NaruHina and its my hope that i do them justice.
Note- This story is designed around Reoccurring Themes. Masashi Kishimoto has them all over the place like, bonds and nindo. So you'll see several characters written around certain types of situations or emotions. Sometimes it'll be repeated lines or even reoccurring events. Its loosely a concept piece so bear with me and I hope you'll enjoy it.
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.
Summary: Because in the end, I thought they'd all be standing.
JadedSiren's Fighting Dreamers: Someday
Chapter1-Nindo & Dreams
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"To See a World in a Grain of Sand and a Heaven in a Wild Flower, Hold Infinity in the Palm of Your Hand and Eternity in an Hour."*
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Naruto
He noticed how quiet her voice was. Her barley audible murmurs had somehow started to mean more to him than any other sound. Melodious sighs, soft as moonlit rain, like whispered nostalgia, warm comfort all in a breathe, baby soft stilling his senses.
He remembered.
An offer to peak at her test had thrown him. Why would she let him. It didn't make sense. She couldn't possible really want to help him. But, she had looked so honest and Naruto racked his brain but he couldn't come up with a single time that she'd ever laughed at him. But really she never said anything at all, maybe she....
He almost didn't hear her. It was Kurenai-sensai who spoke to him. Her head was down, offering him a healing ointment. But he just beat her team mate...
They had the same name, family huh. Naruto couldn't imagine having to fight family. She entered the stage and looked so out of place Naruto wasn't sure she would....
Fate.
Don't listen to it. You can change. Get better Be more. She's a good person, she could be strong. Hinata be strong! Get back up. Don't listen. Whatever you do don't listen to it....
He was shocked and awed. She was hitting fast, hard. She didn't back down, go back on her word. Later he'd think about it. If she had been fighting anyone other than Neji..
Don't hurt her. Even his own Sensai knew that it had gone too far. And then she clutched her chest spitting blood. Naruto watched as she hit the floor. No! Wait a minute...
He was angry. At the whole thing. Him, that clan for spitting such garage, for making her feel the way they all made him feel. Her blood was still warm and so help him Kami....
He knew that he'd walk through the training grounds to get to the arena because he needed time. He didn't think he'd see her there. And so he let it go, his smile, for the first time let some else see in. He had begun to doubt himself.
But looking back now she had known how he'd felt. To be every ones lowest expectation. She had this same hurt. The same pain. Knew that sadness, the heavy weight of it. The burden of a being dead last. Naruto always had words, and smiles to get him through everything. But eyes like that saw the truth. He wasn't scared to loose. But for someone else to see, to know that the whispers and the shuns, that they ate at him. Confused and saddened him. For maybe they were truth, he was a monster, a failure...
But a proud one.
One who no matter would never go back on his word...
Believe it!
For a moment.
For a moment there Naruto had been truly powerful.
Before doubt deftly and remorselessly crept back in with frightful ease.
He lost Sasuke to his demons, Sakura to a promise he'd never be able to keep, Jaraiya to the Atatsuki, and bits of his own sanity to the Nine Tailed Fox.
And he'd think on it in those last moments before sleep would take him, when his mind was quiet, his energy dulled by exhaustion, or a momentary lapse in hunger after scores of steamed noodles or yet a successful mission when naught but sheer moxie had brought him through.
That she was becoming important.
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Naruto and Sakura had been walking though the village on their way from Hokage tower, just finished running errands for Tsunade when they ran into team 8.
Kiba was shirtless attempting to give Akamaru a bath. It wasn't working. Shino and Hinata had stood on the side of the growing puddle, soaked.
"Hey Hinata-chan!," Naruto yelled when he and Sakura drew closer. Hinata blushed like mad to see Naruto waving at her, running over.
"Hey," Sakura called to them in greeting.
"Hello N-n-naruto-kun, Sakura-chan," She replied concentrating on her breathing.
Shino nodded in greeting while Kiba gave a distracted 'whats up', pulling at Akamaru.
""Hey, Hinata-chan," Naruto gave a wide smile. "l almost forgot to thank you for the ramen yesterday."
"Oh," Kiba asked with wide eyed interested. "Hinata made you ramen, eh?"
Sakura grinned and Hinata felt her face burn un-natrually hot.
"It wasn't m-m-mu-much," She stammered, "just a reci-ci-cipe I wanted t-to try."
"Wasn't much!" Naruto exclaimed loudly. "It was almost as good as Ichiraku."
Almost as good as Ichiraku! Naruto loved his ramen. Everyday Hinata would pass by the stand, hoping to catch a glance of Naruto or hear his voice through the curtain, because she was certainly to shy to go in.
Sakura grinned. "Wow Hinata that's a compliment."
Kiba laughed "Yeah Naruto loves that place that almost as much as Tsunade's hat!"
"Humph," Naruto grumbled, "Mind your own business. The old man's ramen happens to be the best." Then he smiled again. "But yours was awesome, too. Hinata you have to make me some more, cause froggy is getting a little empty." Naruto held up his prized money sack.
He didn't say that it was only empty because he purposely made a fools bet against Tsunade. He found himself repeating the same action every few weeks. Oh, he knew that he did it because it usually put him in her good graces if she felt that she had upped him by taking hordes of his cash. Guilt which transferred over to the really cool missions. But in truth Naruto really couldn't stand to see his froggy bulging with loot. He'd gotten so used to that Pervy Sage swindling him out of his cash these last few years, he didn't know what to do with actually having more than enough to cover a couple of bowls of ramen.
"I-I I would love to make you ramen, N-Naruto-kun," Hinata blushed happily. She jerked in shock when she found herself crushed against Naruto's chest in a giant hug.
Na Naruto's hugging me Hinata thought as her consciousness faded.
"Huh!" Naruto gaped when Hinata suddenly went dead weight against him.
"Idiot!" Sakura shouted, bashing him on the head. Kiba just laughed while Shino straightened Hinata out.
It was several minutes before she came back around to find herself sitting in one of the villages restaurants.
Kiba and Naruto were arguing over a plate and Shino and Sakura chatted quietly.
Sakura looked up at her and smiled. "Oh good your awake."
She nodded slowly.
"Hinata-chan you're alright," Naruto yelled.
"Yes," She mumbled feeling her face getting hot as he leaned over the table to lay his hand against her head.
Sakura hit him again.
"Baka," Kiba laughed. "I told you not to get to close."
Naruto sat back disgruntled, sniffing at himself.
"Do I stink or something?"
Hinata gasped horrified. "O-o-of of course not," she cried. I- Its its just-"
Sakura patted her hand "Its ok. Naruto's just a bit dense."
Hinata bite her lip feeling faint but thankfully Naruto wasn't playing attention because Kiba had deftly slipped a rice roll from his plate.
A few minutes later the restaurant door chimed.
They looked up to see Neji walking over, his face more severe than normal Hyuuga serious. Naruto had been about to say something when every one at the table became dead quiet, he looked over to catch Sakura with a stormy expression.
"Hello," Neji nodded to them but looked to his cousin.
"Neji nii-san," she said quietly.
"Hiashi- sama asked me to inform you of an afternoon training session," He said calmly.
She nodded and stood.
"See you later Hinata," Kiba said solemnly.
"But Hinata," Naruto called "You're not finished yet. Can't you just-"
"She cannot." Neji spoke. He stared at Naruto. "She is expected to attend personal training with her father."
The table was silent as the Hyuuga pair walked away. In the last few weeks Naruto had been paired with Hinata on dozens of missions or seen her as he walked through the village or caught her coming out of the Hokage tower only for her to abruptly depart due to some Hyuuga reason.
"Sheesh," Naruto mumbled. "What was that all about."
Shino spoke. "Hinata is clan heir, Naruto. She is expected to always be available to the ....demands of her position."
"Yeah but aren't you guys clan heirs or something too. I mean, I get it but she having lunch." Naruto said still feeling weirded out.
"Well it just ruined mine," Kiba said angrily. He and Shino stood and looked at Sakura.
"Later will you-"
She nodded "Of course."
"What," Naruto asked.
They were quiet for a moment and Sakura looked at him hard.
"If you don't understand then it doesn't concern you," Sakura said finally, walking away with a wave to Kiba and Shino.
"Come on," She said pulling him along.
what just happened Naruto thought.
He'd hurt her.
But it had started before the mission to sand. Right after his talk with Iruka after Jariaya had died. He gone to sit on Hokage mountain, attempting to tune out the noise in his head. He been so angry, so helpless. Jaraiya was gone, Sasuke still out there.
It had crept up on him slowly.
The Nine Tailed Fox; a demon beast from the bowels of some Netherworld. Literally retched from the pits of hell to guard the gates, eagerly anticipating despair, feeding upon Naruto's shattered truths and broken illusions of happiness. Malevolent and debase. That was how Naruto thought of it, though of himself. It was evil, thus he was in parts evil. And on nights like that when he felt the pressures of despair, of failure, he let his control slip and was it no one but Naruto's own fault for what had happened.
He hadn't understood why the fox would talk to him. He thought that by now he'd convinced it that he would never give in. At least not consciously. But the old man's advice from years ago had proved it self sound guidance. 'Guard your thoughts.' He hadn't done so. And his mistake had destroyed a very large part of the seal.
So Naruto was angry. Everyday he was angry. Each time his stomach would burn in hot fury. He could feel a dangerous slipping of control. Naruto was mad at Tsunade for sending Jariaya out alone. He was angry at that dame pervy bastard for dying. At Sasuke for not coming back. He hated the Akatsuki. He would make them pay. He could hear the Kyunabi in his head laughing at him sometimes. Mocking him, knowing it was just a matter of time....And Naruto slept fitfully, tormented by dark thoughts and images.
He didn't mean it. Not really. He just couldn't understand. He knew that she had work hard and to just stand there while her father berated her when she had done all she could. He called her a disgrace and a failure.
And she said nothing.
Don't listen to it
You weren't supposed to listen to it. Remember. It wasn't true. It couldn't be. People like them tried harder than everyone else. They weren't failures...
Angry. So angry. Threats and put downs. The idea of the caged bird seal on her ivory forehead caused the first wave of heat to dance along his skin.
And as she had turned to walk out after her father his hand had snaked out to grab onto her arm.
Coward
That stunned look hurt was unbearable now to think about. The two people left in the room had froze in stunned silence. Hinata's face went white in shock. When she was finally able to process that he'd called her a coward she flushed in shame. She didn't get mad, instead she had ducked down again and apologized. Whispering to him that she was sorry.
"But that doesn't change anything does it," He spat.
And he even as mad as he'd been was able to hear the not quite normal timbre in his voice. She had taken a fearful step back when he yanked her arm. Even more angry that she, that Hinata had looked at him in fear. She had stumbled forward and before what ever lunacy had gripped him eased up enough for him to let her go Neji in sudden rage grabbed him, breaking his hold on her arm. And Hinata had run. Through the noise and sudden stinging in his face, the glimpse of her hands over his face fleeing from him made him cringe.
He'd avoided her for weeks after and he didn't see her until the night before he was was to leave to train with the toads.
Naruto barged into Tsunade's office like usual and had nearly slammed the door into her. She danced back an awkward step back. Thoughts of the last time flashed through his mind and his hands reached out to steady her. Hinata gasped and stared at him, startled to find herself suddenly braced against him. Tsunade watched them critically taken back by their sudden tension when they just stared at each other.
He couldn't know how he'd looked at her, intensely unaware that he'd had missed her. Naruto measured the light sheet of dust coating her jacket, a few small scraps, the mild exhaustion that dulled her reflexes. She'd been returning from a mission.
"Gomen Hinata," Naruto said softly. "I didn't see you." Still holding onto her.
"I-its o-o-okay Naruto-kun," she whispered, face heating, her mind nearly blank.
So that's how it is Tsunade thought with a mix of amused nostalgia and concern as they stood slowly righting themselves.
"Hinata."
She signed when the girl finally looked up. "You are late for training with Hiashi."
"Hai," She said glancing once more at Naruto before nearly fleeing the room.
Naruto stared after her.
Then he looked quizzically at Tsunade. "Didn't she just return from a mission."
Tsunade nodded looking at him with a knowing expression, causing him to shift his eyes, his face visibly red.
She was getting too old for this, she thought before clearing her throat bringing his attention back to her. "Alas another failed one."
Folding her hands she looked at Naruto. "Therefore more training. Does that bother you?" She asked noticing his frown.
It was his turn to stare at her, his eyes unusually assessing. "Why are you asking me."
"She's come a long way," Tsunade murmured absently. She stood to gaze out at the village. "And so have you for that matter. You both have that in common."
"You say that you will be Hokage someday."
She paused and Naruto felt the heaviness of it all settle. He suddenly saw himself standing where she was. Looking out at a village large, and powerful, yet frighteningly vulnerable.
She continued," Yet even I have limited powers."
She turned her heads towards him, her eyes darkened with an emotion that these last few months had taught him to echo.
"It doesn't need to be said that this war is rapidly escalating."
She turned back towards the window. "No single village or shinobi for that matter is completely with fault or fails. But, sometimes many choices, protocals, traditions... they all seem irrelevant pointless and yes harsh.
"Baa-chan."
She blew out a light breathe. "The whole of it, Naruto? You mean in addition to the fact that the Hyugga Elders, despite my rather vocal belief otherwise, are yet convinced Hinata will make a adequate clan leader. Very well. Neji Hyuuga was somehow poisoned by demon chakra on that mission to Sand and Danzo is working diligently to convince the Council that you are a liability to the Leaf Village. The Elders want Sasuke's name added to the bingo books. That missing Scroll will eventually prove itself far too dangerous to have not been recovered. Atatsuki is on the cusp of assault. Sakura barley eats, Kakashi won't stop requesting missions, and I, I am very tired."
She turned back to Naruto, to his tight fist and burning eyes.
Her tone was brisk. "This village needs changing Naruto. That is your reality. I expect nothing less than exponential results from your training with the toads."
His encounter later that night had him recommitting to that expectation with renewed fevor.
He entered team 7's old training field, hoping to sort through his thoughts, where it had all started.
He created four teams of two to spread the area. Better that way to wear himself out, with multiple clones sparing. He had worked up a good sweat and appetite when he dispelled the jutsu ready for the last of the ramen Ayame and her old man had gifted him with since he would be gone for a while. He paused. It always took him a moment to precess the information his clones had gathered after they had been destroyed or dispelled.
He sorted through all of the smells and feels and thoughts that his clones had gathered when one bit swirled through his consciousness. It had been a noise.
A tiny sniffling sound, a pair of clones had heard right before he called them back. Naruto picked up his jacket throwing it over his shoulder as he headed off in the direction of the sound. He walked for but a few minutes paused before stepping lightly through the shrubs. It took him a second to recognize the figure hunched be the base of a tree. He walked over squatting down close to Hinata. She had balled her self up arms wrapped around her knees head buried against them, her dark purple hair fell around her the ends brushing the forest floor.
"Hinata."
She lifted her head up and Naruto's mouth fell open.
Her face was red and puffy, the corner of her mouth still bleeding. Naruto had always seen her with loads of clothes covering her and instead she wore tradition Hyuuga robes. The wider sleeves fell a few inches below her wrist and the half of her forearm that showed was bruised, spotted with the effects of the Gentle Fist. But it was her eyes that made his heart slam into his chest.
He didn't look away from her eyes as he carefully and gently tilted her face up to look at him.
Her large pale lavender hued irises were filled with so much emotion. Tears hung like glimmering lights against her dark lashes before they splashed onto her pale skin, one after another. It struck him them that Hinata was beautiful. Even marred he was awed be the soft skin beneath his fingers and the pert nose read from crying, the small lips trembling as Naruto cradled her face, his hands growing wet from her weeping.
Hinata couldn't look at him anymore. It was too much. She didn't know why she wasn't unconscious yet, from the training or her heart beat pounding at being so close to Naruto. She closed her eyes laying her face into his hands.
Naruto also realized was that this was because of no mission. Had he not seen her just hours ago.
He knew all about pushing training to the limit. He could also recognize the repeated imprint of a large open hand.
He trained with Neji, some after much begging. He'd knew how much it took to get his own arms to look like hers and how pain full it had been.
When he finally found his voice it was hard and tight.
"Why?"
Her voice was quite when she answered. "I must be stronger."
Naruto was pissed. "This doesn't make someone stronger! He has no right."
"He is my Otu-san," she aside without opening her eyes.
"He is no father!" Naruto barked.
Hinata jumped up, pulling back away from him. Naruto kept a grip onto her hand taking to his own feet.
"I have to go back," she said eyes wide. "Its so late."
"How often does he do this to you."
She didn't say anything.
Naruto wasn't aware of his grip on her wrist or her small tugs against it.
"Naruto-kun," she whispered. "I must return home."
She had the softest, sweetest voice. It was hitting him all at once that she was forced to return every night to the Hyuuga compound. That silent sterile place that gave Naruto the creeps
"That clan." he growled.
They had been the reason that Neji was the way he had been.
"Sakura chan was looking for you," He cut in. And this is why, he accused voice full of anger. His gaze slashes of red fire
"N-no," she stuttered frightened by the change in his eyes and his cold voice.
He pushed her back against the tree.
Hinata gasped as he began to tug the top portion of the robe off, causing her muscles to rip in agony.
He realized that he hurt her and stopped.
The loose garment slid slowly from her shoulders. Exposing her fishnet top beneath.
He looked at the dark angry red marks that covered very inch of her from collar bone to shoulders.
Naruto stepped closer sliding his arms to her waist and slipped her top up, revealing her stomach to the night air.
Dark marks and blue black along her ribs.
Hinata was near to fainting. Naruto just stared and stared, and when his eyes met hers again she found herself sobbing uncontrollably
"Shh," he whispered pulling her against him, holding her tight.
"Naruto-kun," she cried into his chest.
Yes, she was becoming important.
Thoughts of her brought him comfort, tiny peaceful reprieves from the endless worries.
It would nag at him the ease upon which he would begin to loose control at the thought of her getting hurt, wildly livid by her pain.
How comforted he was by her presence.
That she was powerful in how she could move him.
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Hinata
The neutral staid complexion of Hinata's existence was washed away the first time she saw Naruto. Like a flash he swept in dimensions and thoughts and feelings that she'd never known. He was color. A rioting explosion of bright orange, sun kissed yellow and a baby blue so intense she felt she could fly.
So much of her, was him.
So many of Hinata most precious memories and moments were tied up around him.
He made her want to be a better person. She thought, that if someway she could have half of his strength then she could do so much.
It had saddened her the pain he felt. Shamed her, the hate so many would carelessly reap onto a single child.
But he taught her so much. Every time he would stand up again. No matter what was said or done, no matter how painful or how bad it hurt. He would stand up....
and smile.
That was her salvation. Her saving grace when nothing she ever did was strong enough to break through the cold silence that seemed to encompass her entire world.
He was a good person and Hinata recognized his strength. He could change people. He'd done it for her so many times.
The Chunnin Exams, The Bikochu, the Iron ninja, pushing her so far past what she thought she could be. He made her happy, his innocence and light, his jokes and even his confusion. It was beautiful to her. Because even if he didn't understand, it was only a matter of time before he got it right and then made it his own.
And he teased her. When he would worry about her or would call her pretty or person that he liked, that her jutsu was strong and amazing or that she would be a good wife one day. She stored each and every bit away inside.
But it was at the end of a mixed team mission long after he'd returned from those years of training that she sat by his side and finally heard the tale. Bloody strips of her jacket wrapped tight around different portions of his frame. Unspoken but understood that tonight she'd stand vigil. He'd been protecting her. It as all she could do pressing a compress to his brow as Tenten and Lee had delved into a epic tale of a battle and of dreamers, of changing fate and of a vow, bound in blood, to no matter what win.
She'd remembered the spotted blemishes that stained the indoor arena. Her desire to stand even as her very own heart beat attempted to claim her life. She remembered reaching a place inside her she'd only dreamed of. Never really believing until right then, hearing his voice watching him watch her that she could succeed. That this tiny failure could fight back, try, maybe win.
That her ninja way wasn't some fantasy or wish but the constant vibrant promise of a true shinobi to never give up.
A Blood Oath
Eternally true, never to be undone. Once uttered, forever etched into the knitted, weaving threads that collectively was time. Powerful and omnipotent in its immortality.
Her blood. His nindo
Only when she was certain they all slept, did she let go, allowing the power of such show to its true strength. Clutching her bed roll tight in a white knuckle grip, she shivered and let the night sounds play companion to her tears.
And somewhere within it all, it had begun.
endless ramen and small smiles.
Nindo and dreams.
Naruto and Hinata
love
* 'To See a World' by William Blake- is long and beautifully written.
I going to try to fashion each character's piece pretty much the way I believe they think.
Naruto could even be considered to have some sort of ADD, he's certainly loud and impulsive, and excessive in his thoughts and personality isn't he. rather adorable^^
And Naruto certainly didn't put it together that Hinata is in love with him. But I think her confession was awesome. The Best thing Kishi's done in a while oh but since Naruto got to met his dad and our favorite masked ninja is alive and kicking well kishi's on a roll.
I really like Hinata's portion.
And A big thanks to:
God Amongst Mere Mortals
Rain of the Soul
AngelAurora7777
either or/and you asked me what was up(and taking so long lol) or your stories inspire me to get a-typing myself so thank you:)
and editing kicked my butt. Twice i lost all of the revisions and had to start over with the rough rough draft. and this could still use some more work. I must learn to type and spell better!