Moonlight Bliss

"Love is like a butterfly, it settles upon you when you least expect it."

Chapter 2: Flowery Arrangements

For 2 hours, she had been pacing. Pacing right, pacing left, pacing up, pacing down, pacing all around.

Why did she do something so stupid yesterday! How could she! Confessing like that to a stranger! He wasn't an enemy and she knew it… but what if they told Naruto! What would she do!

Hinata shook her head to turn away from such thoughts and focused on her current dilemma.

Just how was she supposed to tell everyone she had to get married? How would they take it if they found out that some of their mates were on this list? How would she take it if one of the guys actually considered it?

"No, Hinata. You won't do it," she whispered to herself, "You're going to pull on your big girl pants and tell your father that this ideal of his is insane and that you won't go through with it!"

"Hai!" the girl cheered, agreeing with herself.

She pulled up her navy blue pants and marched to the door. As she was about to slide it open, she froze.

What would her father do if she opposed his wishes? They had just built a bearable relationship only years ago. It was still tender. Any move to aggravate him and that relationship would make like a banana and peel.

But if she didn't speak to her father, the family would choose for her. And she was pretty sure the ideal candidate for them would be Tokuma Hyuuga… the guy who the elders had literally been throwing at her to choose.

Her clan was sick. Very, very sick.

Hinata sighed and ran her fingers through her hair. She was frustrated. Just why wouldn't they put Naruto on the list? Her sweet, charming, precious Naruto-kun?

She knew that one. The elders, of course. They'd been pining to get her married to Tokuma since she was 6! It wasn't a secret that she loved Naruto. If he'd been on the list, she'd choose him instantly without any form of hesitation.

But as she would approach the door to her father's study, she would turn tail and run back to her room for one reason only. Naruto didn't love her back. They were just friends. Nothing more, nothing less. The guy was killing her. Couldn't he see the loving gazes she gave him? Couldn't he hear the genuine care in her voice? Couldn't he feel the love she radiated for him?

No. Because… things kind of took a while to reach his brain. Well, that's what she liked to describe it as. Naruto wasn't stupid. He was just …slow at times.

Slow or not, loving him hurt. But her heart was attracted to the object of her pain.

"You know what!" Hinata exclaimed quietly, determination filling her voice. "I don't need him! If he can't see my feelings, it's his loss! I can do this! I can move on!" Hinata clutched the scroll in her hand and marched out of her room. "I CAN DO THIS!"

A deep red blush dashed across her face as everyone stared at her like she was insane.

"U-Uh…"

Before she could explain, the Hyuugas carried on with their various duties without a second glance.

Hinata sighed and trudged herself to her father's study. "I definitely can't do this."


His eyes slowly drooped then rose again. This action had been going on for quite a while now. Tsunade would sneak the sleepy boy death glares every time he did that which would snap him awake until he got tired again.

The Konoha Council, comprising of Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane, was examining Naruto's profile to see if he was fit to become hokage. Tsunade had warned Naruto to arrive at her office today, fully rested, but clearly she wasn't thorough enough.

He had arrived around 9:30 when the meeting was supposed to be at 8:00 like she had oredered. What really ticked Tsunade off was his unpleasant appearance and attitude. His hair was scattered in several directions, he wore his usual jacket but seemed to forget the pants and she was certain he was half asleep. If she didn't kill Naruto after this meeting for some unknown reason, he would be extremely lucky. The only thing she could give him credit for was that he smelled like he had bathed and his breath was fresh.

Tsunade sent him another glare, sending chills up the blond's spine. His eyes drooped again but this time it wasn't from fatigue. He was thinking. Thoughts about Hinata had kept him up all through the night until 4:00 a.m., when he fell asleep. Even as he slept, he dreamt of her.

The dark, weird, shy girl kept creeping back into his mind. Only some hours ago, he had no idea of the feelings she harbored for him and he brushed her off as one of his really good friends. A few moments later, everything he saw about the girl began to change as soon as she unknowingly confessed to him.

He always thought of her as pretty and kind, strong and delicate, smart and quiet, the girl who really cared a lot about him. But now, he saw her as beautiful. He found her kindness angelic. Her power was immeasurable. Her being was as fragile as glass, something that deserved to be handled with extreme care. Her intelligence deserved more praise. She was not quiet. She had millions and millions of things to say. He just never let her say them. She was the girl… who loved him.

She was always quiet and a mystery, her face beginning to burn whenever she was around him. The stutters, the "finger-poking", the blushes, the way she could hardly ever look him in the eye,… the way she …sacrificed herself for him.

It was all so obvious, so blatant. She loved him. Hinata Hyuuga loved him. She was in love with him.

But could he fall in love with her? Did he love her? The questions that kept him up and haunted his dreams always had him draw a blank. He didn't know.

The only thing he did know was that he had to get out of this crap hole to see her. He wasn't absolutely sure what he would do but he had to see her. He had to know if he had feelings for her or not. He had to be certain and see her now. But how could he possibly escape without Tsunade beating the crap out of him afterwards? After moments of thinking, a sly smile played upon his lips.

"Pardon me, Tsunade-sama, village elders," Naruto bowed with respect as he said their names. They all looked at Naruto suspiciously, especially Tsunade. Naruto had not one trace of manners within his body.

What is he up to? Tsunade wondered while sipping some tea.

"Speak boy," said the elders in unison.

"Hai. May I be excused to use the lavatory?"

Tsunade spat out her tea and coughed. Naruto definitely had a plan up his sleeve. Not once in his life had he shown respect to anyone and who knew he knew the word 'lavatory' existed?

"Yes you may young man," said the gray haired old lady. After Naruto left the room with a smirk on his face, both elders gave Tsunade a stern look. "You should develop manners like that young man," the lady scolded, "He's already acting more mature to become hokage!"

Tsunade sighed as the old woman continued to scold her. She was sure of it now. She would kill Naruto if he pulled anything.


Hiashi Hyuuga. Long brown hair, hard silver eyes, a stern face and a sturdy chin. The man that sat a meter away from her was her father… and he was nothing like her.

She was kind, he could be mean, she smiled, none of the living had ever seen anything on his face but a scowl or grimace, she was soft-natured, nature refused to let him even have a nature.

The man was intimidating. Very intimidating. But under that thick shell of Hyuuga ice, there was one thing that even his barrier couldn't hide from her watchful eyes. Whenever he saw her, she could see the flicker of hurt flash through his eyes.

"Is there something you want?" he asked, trying his best to not sound irritated. Ever since the Neji fiasco, her father had been trying to improve his behaviors by being nicer and creating more equal laws in the clan such as some main branch techniques may be taught to a branch member if there is exceptional potential. But the key word is trying. And unlike many things Hiashi Hyuuga did, he was failing on the nice part. Tremendously.

Hinata refused the urge to twiddle her fingers in her lap. She took a deep breath, gripped the scroll tighter and made eye-contact (an act she'd been trying to get used to). "It's about my marriage choices."

His face softened… a teensy weensy bit. "Oh. So you have made your choice?"

Breathe Hinata, breathe. You can do this. Show 'im who's boss!

She placed the scroll on the mahogany table and rolled it towards her father. "Actually, I have a problem with my marriage choices."

He eyed the scroll then looked back to her. His face hardened… by a whole lot. "And what is that?"

"I don't wish to marry any of them."

Hiashi eyed his daughter for any signs of joking or doubt. "Are you serious? We have picked the best of the best marital choices for you and you refuse them all?"

Hinata let out a shaky breath. "I… do."

"And you do realize that in order to lead this clan, you'll have to be married first, right?"

Breathe. No twiddle. Speak. "Father… I'm 17. I'm not comfortable with marrying a man I hardly know and I refuse to marry any that I do know and consider family."

Hiashi looked displeased. "As heiress, you'll gain your title as Head during your 18th year. You being a young woman, clan tradition states the long-standing relationship of 1-2 years with a man of approval by the clan must be ensued. Marriage being the preference.

"My knowledge says that you are not romantically involved with anyone and you are approaching 18 in a matter of months. That rules out the long-standing relationship option, leaving one, the latter. If you refuse to marry, how will you go about that? Or are you willing to throw away your hard work and give your title back to your younger sister?"

Her father's words cut through her like a knife to butter. She wasn't involved with anyone. Hell, she'd never even been asked out before or hit on like any of the other kunoichis in her year group. That left marriage as the only option to become Head and she refused to let Hanabi accept that title. Her sister did not deserve to go through such madness as her clan instituted. Hanabi deserved to fall in love and be with the man of her choice.

She was doing this for the sake of her sister's freedom. With her head held high, she looked her father in the eyes. She'd been through to much, saw too much and felt too much to cower. She was stronger now. "No," she said. No matter what her father did, he always ended up as the bad guy. As the one that caused her pain. "I want the title."

"Then you'll have to choose from that list."

"Can't we postpone it? I… appreciate… what the clan is doing for me but I'm not ready for marriage yet. I just ask for a few months to think."

Hiashi frowned. He did not like compromising. "You have until your birthday to think. After that, you must make a decision, understood?"

Hinata sucked in another deep breath and gave a small and incredibly forced smile. "I understand." She rose from her seat and headed towards the door. As she slid it open, the voice of her father stopped her briefly before she continued walking on with a genuine yet broken smile on her face.

"Your addressing and argument skills… have improved… I'm proud… of you."


"HE WHAT? YOU HAVE TO WHAT? WHAT? WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON, HINATA?"

Hinata rested her head against the bark of the tree and sighed as Kiba continued to rant and rave and kick the grass. She watched him with weary eyes and smiled lazily as Akamaru whined for Kiba to calm down.

Shino was only a few feet to the left of where Kiba last was, unmoving but inevitably thinking. From the precise angle of his head, she could tell he was upset. He just didn't express it the way Kiba did. From what she knew about Shino, he was plotting someone's death. She gave him a petty smile but he did not move. That meant he wasn't on reasoning terms anymore.

She sighed again and ran her fingers through Akamaru's white fur coat. By looking at the dog, she'd be called a liar if she told a newcomer that this huge, beast of a dog was once a small teeny tiny puppy that could ride on the nest of Kiba's shaggy brown hair and in his shirt only years ago.

"At least your handling this maturely and not being homicidal, aren't you Akamaru?" Hinata whispered to her furry friend while scratching behind his ears.

The beast barked happily, wagged his tail and licked her cheek playfully. Hinata giggled softly and wiped off the slobber.

"Hinataaaaaaa," Kiba whined, "How can you be so calm? Aren't you upset? Aren't you going to try and do something about it?"

A slight frown tugged at her lips. "I'm not happy about it," she murmured, still stroking Akamaru's fur. It gave her a feeling of comfort. Her tone of voice shut Kiba up and stopped Shino's death plans. "But it's mandatory if I want the ones I care about to be happy."

"Hinata." Shino was the one that spoke this time. "We may be jōnin but we're still team Kurenai. And as team Kurenai, we don't want you to sacrifice your happiness which is something you deserve." Kiba nodded in agreement.

Hinata smiled. "But someone has to do it, Shino-kun. In order for there to be happiness, one must always sacrifice theirs. I'm that person. I've already decided it. If it's for the ones I care for, I'll willingly do anything. Even if it costs me my happiness."

"But it doesn'-"

Hinata cut Kiba off. "But it does, Kiba-kun. You don't know the full story yet..." The heiress stood up and walked in the direction of the street. She looked over her shoulder to her former teammates and offered, "Tea?"


Kiyomi. A bouncing ball of energy, an orb that emits radiance and purity. That's how Hinata would describe her second sister, her sensei's daughter. Silky and wavy black hair placed in two ear-length pigtails, dark brown eyes that flicker with life, a button nose, soft pink lips, a dazzling white smile although her teeth weren't yet complete and fair smooth skin. She was literally the cutest thing.

Dressed in a pink blouse and a red, baby jumper dress that showed her white diaper whenever she picked something up (which she did frequently), Kiyomi ran back over to Hinata's feet, grinning widely and carrying a shiny rock in her hands.

She outstretched the smooth rock proudly and Hinata could tell that she wanted her to say something. That's what it was like with Kiyomi. She was highly intelligent, her speech was that of a six year old and she could tell when she was being lied to- something she hated very much. But, she preferred to not use her words. She preferred to express her views with minimal actions. Hinata thought it was either an interesting game to the little one or Shikamaru's laziness had rubbed off on her so much that she found speaking troublesome.

"It's pretty," Hinata whispered to the two year old, "Just like you."

Kiyomi squealed happily, placed her stone in the collection of her other pretty rocks and ran back out into the sun to find more.

Hinata sighed contently as she watched the girl flicker about, every now and then losing her balance but immediately getting back up and giggling at her silly mistake. She was an interesting species. The kind that made you want to smile forever and make you remember that life is a precious gift. It made her wonder if all kids were like that. If she was like that. Innocent and carefree.

It wasn't long before Kiyomi ran back to her feet and showed her another rock. Hinata nodded in approval, and the girl's little hands placed the rock into the pile. Instead of running back into the sun like Hinata expected, the girl remained on the wooden steps of the patio with her, the girl's large eyes peering up at Hinata with her cheeks puffed ever so cutely.

Hinata giggled because she knew what that meant. It meant she was tired and wanted to be carried. Complying, Hinata cradled the little girl in her arms and rocked her just the way she liked it. Hinata liked being around children. A lot. She blushed lightly at the thought of having many little Uzumakis running around her.

But her fantasy was like a stray leaf on a windy day. It would just drift across the wisps of the wind.

Instead of Uzumakis, she would have another man's children. She would love them all the same but they wouldn't be what she wanted so badly.

"You're so lucky," Hinata whispered to the half-conscious child, "You have a long time to grow up and enjoy your innocence. If you had to marry in order to make the ones you care about happy, what would you do?"

The girl responded with a yawn and the stretch of a tired, chubby arm. She touched Hinata's cheek with her fingers and smiled while whispering, "Sleep."

Her brown eyes fluttered closed and her face eased with a content smile.

"Sleep," Hinata repeated, smiling down at the resting girl, "I wish I could just sleep too. Forever."

Just then, the door creaked open to reveal her mother-figure. Soft red eyes found her own lavender ones and she smiled with a greeting, "Good morning, Kurenai-sensei."

The mother of one sat beside Hinata and gazed to the rocks her daughter collected. "Kiyo-chan collected these, right?"

Hinata nodded. "She's a funny little thing."

Kurenai laughed softly. "Indeed she is. And you're a complicated little thing."

Hinata sighed and handed her sensei her daughter. "I take it Shino-kun and Kiba-kun didn't want to stop by here to only say hello?"

Kurenai nodded. "They want me to persuade you out of taking the clan title." She brushed the bangs across her daughter's forehead. "But I know that you won't listen to me."

"Correct," Hinata murmured. "I want the title. Well honestly, I want the title so I can hand it over to Neji. He's a male. He doesn't face the relationship requirement."

The two were quiet for a while.

"But why, Hinata?" Kurenai spoke softly, "You of all people deserve to be happy." Hinata was about to open her mouth to protest but Kurenai continued on. "And don't give me that crap of sacrificing your own happiness. It doesn't work with any of us."

Hinata laughed. "I guess not." A cool breeze blew her hair, ruffling her dark green hoodless jacket which had the cuff sleeves rolled up due to the slight heat. After a brief pause, she spoke again, "I'm doing it for my sister."

"Hanabi?"

She nodded. "If I give up and back out, she'll become the heiress and be forced to marry. She'll miss out on the chance of finding true love. Something she deserves. She needs to learn how do what she wants. Not what the clan wants. But I guess I can't teach her that if I'm contradicting my statement by doing just that, now can I?"

Kurenai pursed her lips and searched her student's face for any sign of doubt. There was none. She sighed. "And what about your true love Hinata?"

Hinata gave a quiet laugh. "My true love doesn't know how I feel, neither does he think of me in the light I wish for. If anything, the most that can be developed between us is a friendship. Then… maybe a relationship… That's what I thought… But we've been friends for over 2 years now. And his feelings haven't changed. I think it's a sign that nothing will change. So this marriage… in a way.." Hinata took a deep breath, "… will help me… move on."

"Is that what you want, Hinata?"

Hinata was quiet. No. It was far from what she wanted. But it was what she needed. "Yes, sensei."

Kurenai heaved a breath. "Alright then." She stood up with her child sleeping peacefully in her arms. "Will you join us for some tea?"

Hinata got off the steps and while walking into the Konoha sun, gave a quiet reply. "No… Not yet… I need to think for a little bit." She turned to her teacher, "I might come back in a little while though. I'm thinking of flower pressing."

Kurenai smiled. "Have fun."


Naruto sighed contently as he strolled through the village, donning his regular day outfit: a deep green shirt and the bottoms to his orange jumpsuit. He decided to change after he noticed he forgot his pants.

He left a shadow clone back up at the office and he couldn't help but feel smug at thinking about that. Clones were the answer to getting out of his work duties! That was his best idea. Ever.

Now there was something he needed. Hinata. He needed to find her and… and… That's where his mind stopped thinking. Do what exactly? He was always used to making quick and easy decisions, not giving a second thought to the consequences of his actions.

She seemed so delicate. As if one mistake would completely break her. She made him think. Think hard.

And so he did think. He decided upon flowers. She once told him that she liked flowers and preserving their beauty. He liked to water plants. Watching them grow made him feel mellow inside.

He skipped to Yamanaka's flower shop, determined to get the best ones he could for Hinata. Ino would most likely be there. She was in charge of running the shop by herself for the remainder of the year. It was her dad's way of punishing her for not telling him about her newfound relationship with Sai.

Sai and Ino. He honestly found them to be an odd pair. But he guessed they made sense. Sai had a thing for art and Ino had a thing for flower arrangements. He often found the pair at the shop together picking different combinations of flowers and designing. Right now, Sai was on a mission along with his pervert of a sensei.

Naruto entered the shop, just about to yell his presence although the chime of the bells was enough but he soon stopped when his eyes landed on the very person he was buying flowers for. There she was, in her warm and quiet glory, laughing with Ino and playing with the petals of some flowers.

So much for buying her flowers.

Naruto was about to make a hasty retreat but Ino caught sight of him. "Hey Naruto! What brings you here?"

Naruto's cheeks tinted a faint red when her large, lavender eyes met his. Pink dusted hers so he guessed he wasn't the only flustered one.

Ino looked back and forth between the two and shrugged it off. "So whaddya want Naruto?"

He scratched the back of his head, a nervous tic of his, but still kept his eyes trained on Hinata. "U-Um… I just… wanted to…" he mumbled some other incoherent words which left Ino confused and Hinata even more flustered.

Maybe he should stop staring at her… but how could he when he was looking at the very girl who loved him?

"Ok…" Ino drawled. The platinum blonde turned back to Hinata. "These'll be 1500 ryu for your flowers including the discount."

Hinata snapped her eyes away from his and quickly handed Ino the money. "Thank you, Ino-chan," she whispered quickly.

The heiress tried gathering all her flowers from the counter but she was failing miserably and blushing heatedly from embarassment. Ino was amused.

Without a second thought, Naruto rushed to her aid, taking as much flowers as he could and giving Hinata as little as possible. That way, he looked like a gentleman. "Mind if I help you?" Naruto asked while laughing nervously.

Her face resembled a cherry. She peeked up from beneath her bangs and said a 'Thank you, Naruto-kun'.

Saying goodbye to Ino, the two walked out of the shop and onto the streets of Konoha. They didn't speak. At all. It was weird because around her he used to just babble. Why couldn't he say anything now?

Instead of speaking to her, he greeted the various that called out to him and smiled at him. That's how it was for him. The hero of Konoha, Naruto Uzumaki. Great ninja and friend, the shoe in for the spot of Rokudaime. Of course this newfound attention also earned him the recognition from many pretty girls.

But right now, he was focused on one beautiful girl. Hinata Hyuuga. The fresh air did her good. Her face was returning to its regular color and she was looking before her instead of down with a faint smile playing on her lips. What was it that made her smile? He really liked it.

"So…" Naruto drawled, attempting conversation. He quickly looked towards the various flowers. "What are you doing with all of these?"

For the first time on their little trip, she engaged the eye contact. "I'm going to press them and add them to my scrapbook," she said softly. "I'm sorry for inconveniencing you. I'm sure you have much better things to do…"

Naruto laughed nervously and looked towards the flowers. "Well, actually… I was kind of looking for you…"

"R-Really?"

"Stutter," he said teasingly. It was something they started up when they became friend- friends. To get her to break her habit, he decided to call her out on it whenever she did it. That is, when he remembered about the game.

She sighed. "Stutter indeed… So what did you want to see me for?"

Naruto's face flushed. What exactly could he tell her without her thinking he was some sort of stalker? The barrette! "Oh!... Um… Yesterday, you forgot your barrette so I thought I'd bring it to you…"

"Oh." She sounded disappointed. "So where is it?"

Crap! The barrette was at his apartment! "Heh heh… I guess I left it back at my apartment…" Quickly changing the topic, he said, "Flower pressing, huh? I've never heard of it… How exactly do you flower press?"

"Well…" She looked to the sky as she thought. "Well… you get a flower… and then you press it… and…. Well… it'd be easier to explain if you watched the process…"

"Can I?" the question flew out of his mouth before he knew it.

"Eh?"

"Um… I mean can I… you know… watch you do your flower pressing thing? It seems interesting." Like you he wanted to add.

Hinata stopped walking and soon he did too. He turned to look at her shocked expression.

"Is something wrong?"

"NO!" she quickly answered, blushing madly and looking all over the place. She took a deep breath and looked him in the eyes. A small smile settled on her lips and a small blush to her cheeks. "It was just kind of… well sudden… I actually love that you find flower pressing interesting…" Like I love you she wanted to add. "My family isn't really a fan of flowers. They only like to use plants for herbs and such… It just feels good to see someone that shares my interest in the beauty of a flower… that's all."

Naruto grinned and she smiled softly. "Then let's get to your house, 'ttebayo!"