It's fluff time!
I don't own Naruto, if I had Kakashi wouldn't had suffer that much.
Edit: 06/09
Chapter 4. V2
Part AThe sun was inside her room and the light was prickling her skin.
Hinata woke up in another planet. Her body felt relaxed, warm and cozy, she didn't remember when the last time she felt so comfortable.
Slowly, she recognized where she was. There was her room, that's good. And her bed, that's good. And she was wearing her pajamas, they were dry. That little detail seemed important in her head. And her stomach growled, how was the last time that she ate something? In her bedside table, she saw a glass of milk and some cookies, they're too good. She saw her room bare, neat and tidy with the exception of a wet, worn-out orange jacket in the floor.
Wet… Worn-out… Orange jacket… Orange… Orange…
"…And I don't want to Naruto-kun be alone."
Her memory knocked her.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO"
The steps echoed against the wood floor and the door opened with force. "Nee-sama, are you ok?" shouted little girl with big white eyes and brown hair and went into her room, like an explosion as her name*"Did something happen? Are you hurt?" Hanabi asked worried "Hina-neesama?"
"N-n-n-no, n-no, i-i-it's o-okay, Ha-Hanabi-c-chan" Hinata hid her face in her pillow; she never was being so red in her life.
She couldn't watch at her sister. She couldn't talk. She couldn't think. She tried to breath but the shame… No, no, no, no, no. How could she say those things to Naruto-kun? "…I just don't wanna you be alone." What was she thinking? Think? It was obvious that she wasn't. Was the fever? It was fever, right? Or she went crazy? Yes, she was. Obviously. Crazy, like all the things she said to him. She ruined everything. Why didn't she shut her mouth? And she told him about the engage? Yes, she did. At him. At Naruto-kun. "You inspired me." She said that to him?!
Oh my goodness, I want to die…
"Nee-sama?" Hanabi searched for her face with gentleness "Nee-sama, Is your heart hurt? Is it broke again? Do you need your medicine?"
Hinata noticed her sister's face, ready to cry. Oh, Hana… Hinata tried to breathe again and calm down. She has to do it for Hanabi.
"I-its ok, Hana" At least now, she could talk again "I'm okay, see? I-it's just a… a… a bug, yeah a bug. I got scared and… and…" I'm sorry Shino-kun.
Hanabi throw herself into her arms and hugged her. "Nee-sama, you scared me" she heard in her back.
"I'm sorry, Hanabi-chan" she hugged her too, she was missed so much the warm of her sister.
"You didn't come back home and I didn't know where are you and then you didn't wake up and you have fever, Natsu-san said you catch a cold" Hanabi sit in her bed besides her.
"Well, at least I'm not an idiot…" Hinata murmured.
"Mm? An idiot? Why are you be an idiot, Nee-sama?"
For said all that things to Naruto-kun, she thought.
The little girl continued "And before that Otousan and the Elders didn't want me to see you because you were sick, but I sent you flowers, did you like it?"
"Yes, lil' flower, I loved them. They were beautiful like you" said Hinata pinching her cute nose.
Hanabi giggled and hugged her again. Suddenly, the girl went serious. "Nee-sama, It's true that you lost against cousin Neji?"
"Yes, Hana, it's true" said Hinata.
"Why didn't you use the Seal when he was hurting you? Natsu-san said he hurt your heart and you can't be a ninja anymore…"
"Hanabi, I can't use the Seal, it's not fair to Neji-niisan and I don't want to hurt him. It's a cruel thing to do that."
"Elder Hiro use it all the time." refuted Hanabi.
"Elder Hiro used once with Natsu-san and made her cry; do you like to see Natsu-san hurt?"
"No, but…"
"No buts. Hanabi, that Seal… is not a good thing; it's not a good thing to hurt people… And…" Hinata tried to change the mood, if Father knew that she said something like that, she would be in trouble. "… and It's not true that I'm not a ninja, the Doctor and Kurenai-sensei said that my heart has healed and I'm good again. See?" Hinata put Hanabi's hand in her chest. "It's healthy, like yours."
"Mm, it's beating really fast, is this ok?"
"Yes"
"Ok. But don't worry me about fights and bugs ever again." Hinata nodded with a smile. "I didn't know you were scared from them." She teased and left the bed. "What is that?" she pointed at the orange jacket.
Hinata blushed again "…nothing."
"Nothing? It's new? It's smelly…" Hanabi stared suspicious at her. "Ah! Kou-san said to me that when you wake up you had to see Otousan."
Hinata shrank in her bed.
Hanabi watched the clock, it was almost midday. "Ughhh, I have to go, Nee-sama" said with a pout, it was adorable. "I'd want to you tell me about the exams… Was it difficult? But I have to go; Natsu-san said to me that I have to learn a new kata in a week, if not Otousan'll be upset."
"Yes, it was, but I have a good team. Tonight while I make the dinner, I'm going to tell you everything."
Hanabi smiled radiantly and her eyes shone with admiration. Hinata was sure that she was the only person in the world that looked at her like that. "Really? I want omurice with lots of chicken and no peas. Can you draw a flower in it?"
"Okay, I'll do a big sunflower in it." Hanabi cheered "Now, go. Don't make Natsu-san wait."
Before getting out of the room, Hanabi stopped and looked at her, her big white eyes were concerned "Hina-neesama… I don't want you get hurt again."
"I won't." she promised.
Hanabi smiled again "See you." And left her in her bed.
Hinata was silent, her heart pounding faster. "I love you, Hana" she said in a whisper. She took a cookie and prepared herself to see her Father.
...
The streets of Konoha were full of life.
All the shops were opening in that afternoon, full of coloured neon lights and people who moved in hectic pace. Hinata was walking slowly, stopping in every sparkly window she saw but no one seemed to have the right thing that she was really looking for. Since she woke up in her bed, she had been delaying the moment to meet with Naruto, but the determination (and the engulfing sense of obligation) to give his jacket back, which she cleaned and mended with so much care, obliged her to get out of her room and go.
Hinata was scared.
She didn't know what she supposed to say to him. Ok, they were friends or something like that, she had told him all the things that she had guarded in her heart for years and now she was cringing so hard that she wanted the Earth swallow her. How did she have to continue after that? She didn't know.
And she had never spoken to him, like friends (people) do. And what is the thing that friends do? She has teammates and they were her first friends but it was something like circumstances and training and missions. She didn't know how to be a friend. Pathetic…
And she didn't know him. Well, she knew the basic about him like ramen or the ninja' stuff but she didn't know the real Naruto and that was scary. But the scariest thing ever was what Naruto would find in her. Her, (Née) Hyuuga Hinata. What if he really didn't care about her and said all those things for pity and kindness? What if he didn't like her, or if he found her annoying or weak or useless or worthless? That was scary.
"I have to thank him" she planned "and then I have to ask him to keep quiet about the engaged, it's supposed to be a secret between Father, the Elders and Hokage-sama. I hope he didn't tell that to anyone…"
Hinata found him in the train grounds, close to the public baths. She hid behind a tree. Naruto was talking exasperated with an old tall man with white hair and green hakama and geta; that she recognized from the History books.
"This is all for today, brat" she heard the man said. "I have to go now; this is the best moment to do my research…" And he puffed in a cloud of smoke.
"Damn pervert" shouted Naruto to the air. "He didn't teach me anything arghhh." She heard his stomach growl, loudly. "And now I'm hungry, 'ttebayo..."
And when Naruto turned around, he noticed her standing there.
And he blushed. Oh no.
Hinata blushed too and her mind went blank. This probably wasn't the best moment and was so embarrassing and wanted to hide and run away and came back in another moment, more ready (Why did she think she was ready now?) and she was scared and probably she was doing the ridiculous again and she didn't know how to say and… "Be brave, Hinata"
Her manners, she couldn't forget her manners.
"N-Na-Naruto-kun, G-good afternoon…" she tried to say and bowed, hiding her face in her bangs.
"Oh… mmh… Hi, Hinata" he responded, scratching the back of his head. "How are ya doin'?"
"I-I'm fine, thanks for asking…" she looked at the ground, it was easier like that. Her ears were itching.
"…"
"…"
"Emm, ain't ya all right?" He asked again "I mean… you fainted and I left you in your home…"
"…y-yes, emmh I-I had fever and… and it seemed to be a cold, but I'm fine now… Thank you."
"Well, that proves you're not an idiot, dattebayo…"
"… yeah…" she tried to smile but she bit her lip. She didn't know how to say again.
Naruto was silent and this was becoming more and more awkward. "Not a good signal, I have to say something." She remembered her plan.
"I-I came here to give you back your jacket. T-thank you very much" she bowed again.
He took her bag. "Oh, you cleaned it? And smell good! Ya welcome!"
"A-and I wanted to thank you, in some way…" she continued. "B-but I didn't buy you a present. Is there something you want?"
"Oh no, ya ain't need to…" His stomach growled loud and instantly his tan face got red.
"Pfff…." Hinata giggled. Oh my gosh… Again her laugh was inopportune; he probably thought she was a weirdo.
But Naruto laughed with her. "Ok, ok, you caught me." He said with good humor. The tension dispelled a bit and the things started to be a bit easier.
"M-maybe I can invite you to eat something" she said.
"Ramen." He yelled with his eyes shining. Hinata chuckled, his happiness was contagious.
Naruto cleared his throat, keeping his cool. "Well, ramen is good. And I know the best place in Konoha, no, in the whole world. Believe it."
"Ok, Naruto-kun. Ramen is good. Shall we go?"
"Yeah, I'm starving…"
...
Naruto was going to the best place in the universe with the weird person in the universe and this was the best thing than happen to him in the day.
Naruto's training wasn't being very well.
With Kakashi-sensei disappearing with Sasuke and his other sensei knocked out for pervert, the only adult who had a responsibility with him was Old Man Jiraiya or Ero-Sennin, like Naruto called him.
At first his training was good: when he touched his seal the things started to be easy with him and even he could walk in the water that was really really cool. And then he showed to summon toads and the toad talked and was big and strong and Naruto wanted to do that too. So he signed the contract (with his blood!) and tried to summon and then the things stopped to be easy.
The only thing he could summon was a tadpole with one leg. That wasn't cool at all. And he didn't understand what Ero-Sennin wanted with all that stuff of the two chakras. It was the first time he heard he had a "special" chakra. Maybe he was like Sasuke-teme but he didn't know how wake up that power.
But he didn't wanna waste more time in that, every second all his rivals were getting stronger than him and all the things Ero-Sennin has done in this time were spy women. It was driving him crazy, that damn pervert. What was the big deal with that? Ladies seemed hate his perverseness and nothing that he super-secret jutsu couldn't do. He should have him a lesson. Yeap, no good.
And then Hinata appeared and promise him ramen, and if this was the thing she was thinking when she asked to be his friend, this would be awesome.
Naruto didn't know what to say to her when he saw her again, nervous and small, under the tree. It was awkward as hell and he didn't know what to do. I meant, what did you have to say to the person who said to you that didn't wanted to you be alone? It was the best thing someone had said to him! Well, maybe not the best, Iruka-sensei had said other awesome things to him too, but it was close. And she wanted to be his friend. Nobody wanted to be his friend before.
And he didn't know her, she always was the weird, plain, dark girl who was magical tied to him and never talked to him but now she did 'cause her family was full of jerks. Awkward as hell is little.
"Eh? Mmh… N-Naruto-kun?" asked Hinata in soft voice to start the conversation. "I didn't know you were training with one of the Sannin, that's great."
"Sannin?"
"Y-yes, Jiraiya-sama is one of the "Konoha Legendary Sannin", the Heroes of the Second Ninja World. They said that he has been considered for the position of Hokage once."
"What?! That Pervert a Hokage?!" Naruto didn't believe her; he didn't look like a Hokage. "The only thing he does is spy women, be an idiot and write all those nasty books that Kakashi-sensei reads."
"Really?"
"Yes, really. He was training me 'cause he knocked at Closet Pervert Sensei and took the responsibility. He taught me how to walk in water and now he is trying to teach me how to sum… get better in my ninja' skills, that is, 'ttebayo."
Naruto watched at Hinata, she didn't seem to suspect his slip. "That was close, she could say that toad thing to that Neji bastard, is her cousin after all." Naruto sighed.
"I-Its look like you are working hard, d-do your best Naruto-kun" she said with a shy smile.
"Ehh… thanks." That was nice of her. "Of course I will, I have to win. I have a lot of rivals not only your cousin. I'll be better than Sasuke-teme, Shikamaru and that Gaara dude of the Sand"
"Oh" She looked worried "B-be careful about him, Naruto-kun. He is… d-dangerous."
"Yeah, I know. He is too strong with that Gourd and Sand, y'know. When he fought against Bushy-Brows, which by the way was awesome, you didn't see but when he took away those weights, was bam! And Bushy-Brows was so fast… I really wanted to fight him…" Hinata giggled at his enthusiasm. "Well, y'know, that Sand was too powerful. The guy uses it like a shell, and he covers with that in defense and the entire thing he do is stand in the same place but he controls that sand like it has water or something like that. And it's like he had something weird inside him, y'know, in his eyes, but in the bad way, I dunno, like, like…"
"…like something c-cruel." Finished Hinata. Naruto was astonished; it was something really strange to be understood by someone. "I-I saw him, in the Forest, with Kiba-kun and Shino-kun." She continued "He k-killed a genin of the Rain with that Sand and looked like he didn't care about the other people life. I-It was scary."
Ughh, so this was going to be more difficult than he thought. That guy was a freak.
"B-but… I think… y-you will win." Hinata said, her cheeks getting red. "M-maybe you will find the way to fight against that Sand."
"Well, thanks, 'ttebayo." he scratched the back of his head; it was weird that someone believe in him, more coming from her.
"But, you have forgotten someone" she said.
"Forgotten? Who?"
"Shino-kun."
"Shino? Who?"
"My teammate, Shino-kun"
"Ahhh, him." He remembered the glasses guy, gloomy and he talked strange, he wasn't really his type. "What about him?"
"Shino-kun is strong" said Hinata suddenly prideful. "If you win, you'll have to fight with him. Better keep Shino-kun in mind, his bugs are powerful and he is smart."
"Duh, I take on Kiba. I'm sure that Shino guy is easy-peasy."
Hinata looked annoyed "Well, not. Shino-kun is strong, his bugs drain chakra and he knows how to use it and they were too useful in the mission like-"
"Well," Naruto cut in and crossed his arms with arrogance "I'm sure I'm stronger than some tiny lil' bugs, I only have to kill them with some repellent. He is easy, ttebayo."
"He is not" said Hinata. She was getting angry for nothing and it's was amusing to see her like that, it was something new.
"He is" he smirked.
"He is not!" she pouted.
"He is" he pushed a little.
"He is NOT…"
"Well, here we are" he interrupted and laughed. They arrived to Ichiraku and the shop was empty. The smell of miso, pork and spices were alluring. Naruto's stomach growled again.
"And he is…" he settled with a grin while he went into the restaurant. Hinata was shocked with indignation, and this was so funny.
"Welcome to Ichiraku" said the voice of Ayame-neechan "Oh Naruto, how long without seeing you"
"Sup' Ayame-neechan, Teuchi-ojiisan"
"Oh, you came with a new teammate? Or it's a date?" asked Ayame behind the counter, smirking "Welcome to Ichiraku Ramen"
"Nop, a friend." He said with a big smile. "She is Hinata, dattebayo." Next to him, Hinata had her face red and she was twiddling her fingers, totally opposite to her demeanor a second before. Yeap, weird.
"H-Hello, I'm Hyuuga Hinata, nice to m-meet you Ayame-san" she bowed her head.
"Ara, so polite." Said Ayame.
"You should learn of her, brat" said the Old Man. "Hello, Ojou-san, I'm Ichiraku Teuchi, owner and chef of this restaurant, it's a pleasure to meet you"
Hinata bowed at him too "The pleasure is mine, Ichiraku-san"
"Teuchi is fine." He said pleasant. "Well, What's your order?"
"Same as always, O-san" said Naruto taking his favorite seat. "And you?"
"Mm… I don't know." Hinata sit up next to him, in a perfect posture. "I've never ate Ramen before, what do you suggest?"
Naruto almost fell of his chair, he looked at her incredulous. The hell?! He couldn't believe it. She's never ate Ramen?! Ever?! How was it possible? How has she lived until now? Not eating ramen is a crime against humanity, in Naruto opinion.
"Well, I'm suggest you Miso Ramen, is Naruto's Favorite. The broth is light and a good start. You will like it, Hinata-san" said Teuchi and went behind his kitchen, leaving them with Ayame-nee and the promise of the best ramen ever.
...
"So, Naruto" said Ayame-san while she gave them a glass of water. "Where did you meet Hinata-san?"
"The Academy." Answered him. "We meet when we were kids; she was in class, like Sakura-chan and Sasuke-teme"
"Mmh, So childhood friends… That's cute"
"…Somethin' like that" Avoided Naruto and checked the old menu.
"But I thought the Hyuuga were a little… closed-minded." Continued the girl. "I'm sorry if I offend you, Hinata-chan but it's the first time that a Hyuuga came here and I'm a little surprised. I always thought that they were like Royalty of Konoha."
"It's okay, Ayame-san. My family is a bit traditional in many things" responded Hinata. Her family, in fact, always felt like they were the Royalty, proud of their heritage. It was a bit (no, a lot) pretentious in her opinion, but not the worst thing they have done.
"I see… but I'm glad you are here, Hinata-san." Ayame smiled "I hope you like our place."
"Thank you, Ayame-san." said Hinata. "The restaurant is lovely" It was the true, she loved how warm and nice was the shop, from outside it look small and a bit ordinary but the smiles and the smells made it special, it was like a hidden gem in the town.
"Did you hear that, Otousan?" Shouted Ayame happy and gave her a big smile. "Well, if you need something, just call me, ok? I'm going inside…" and she left the bar to help his father.
Hinata realized she was alone with Naruto again. "Or a date?" Had said Ayame-san with a grin and that hit her. Of course, is not but... She was nervous and started to twiddle her thumbs.
"So, Royalty?" said Naruto, his eyes were shining with a mischievous sparkle which made Hinata really uncomfortable. He had it since she had got angry because the things he said about Shino (And of course Shino-kun is not an easy opponent, even Kiba knew that.)
"If they were like Royalty, you'd be like a kind of princess, don'cha?" She blushed. Naruto sighed and said dramatically "What a drag! Now, I have to name you Hime-sama* or Your Majesty, and don't swear in your presence and wear pink and drink tea and use rings and rescue you from a dragon and be…"
"T-That's n-not true, I'm not a p-princess" scowled Hinata "S-stop, and it's embarrassing"
"Embarrassing is never eaten ramen" said Naruto outraged "Ever"
Hinata couldn't believe he was upset for that. "Eh?"
"Ya never ate ramen." He affirmed.
"Y-yes, it's the first time."
"I can't believe it, dattebayo" he said distressed. "Sasuke ate ramen, Sasuke. And you don't" He sighed loudly. "And whaddaya eat?" he asked like she was a new species of human.
"The normal." He rolled his eyes. She decided to ignore the gesture. "B-but my family is a bit strict with diet, and usually we eat healthy food like fish, rice or vegetables"
"Ughh, vegetables. I'm sure you like the greener ones"
"You don't? Some of them are good like carrots, eggplants or broccoli or…" Naruto's face was scowling more and more with every item she called. Hinata giggled. "M-maybe, it's the same to me with shrimps or crab, I mean." She mumbled.
"Ughh, those too. 'n whaddaya like?"
"Cinnamon rolls" she confessed "and zenzai*"
"I never tried cinnamon rolls, but I really like zenzai too"
"Really?" She was so happy. She did a mental note in things they have in common. "S-so If I eat ramen today, you'll have to try cinnamon rolls, maybe you would like it. The bakery near the river makes it with a lot of frosting and they serve it warm. M-my sister loves it."
"Ehhh! You have a sister?" asked Naruto "I didn't know it, that nice"
"Y-yes, her name is Hanabi and she is eight and she is so cute" Hinata said delighted, Hanabi has that effect in her. "And she is so strong and funny but she is a bit stubborn and sometimes a bit lazy, but that made her so cute and she has a-" Hinata realized she was being annoying, praising a little girl was like the most boring topic ever. "Oh, I-I'm sorry. It's must to be a bit boring…"
"Oh, don't be… it's nice of you, I mean, you really must love you sister" Naruto smiled a bit sad. "I always wanted to have a sibling…"
"Oh no, I'm… a stupid" she thought when she heard the longing in his voice. The arriving of two big bowls of ramen saved the silence. It had eggs, and pork, shinachiku, seaweeds and a lot a fishcake. The broth was heavy and full of flavors. Hinata tasted it. The noodles were perfect, not too soft, not too hard, just in point. It was delicious.
"Itadakimasu!*" Naruto shouted, he was in heaven.
Hinata ate slowly, blowing between bites, savor it. She never tasted something so rich, everything was so delightful and the ramen had the secret of the love of cooking there. Hinata found why he loved it so much. Naruto finished it quickly and order more.
"Ya eat weird, 'ttebayo" he said, mouth full of pork. She tilted her head.
"It calls manners, Naruto" said Ayame-san "Maybe, Hinata-san can teach you some."
"Eh?" he gulped his bite "No, don't wanna. I'd look like a prim…"
"I'm a prim?" She wasn't prim. Maybe a little (Kiba-kun joked with that once) but it was normal to eat like that, not weird. She knew that Naruto was rude but this is was the first time she felt that rudeness. Hinata felt a bit insulted, all her life she was praised for her good manners.
"Have a good manners is mere courtesy" she said, trying to maintain composure.
"If you said so, Your Majesty" he grinned.
Hinata got red, but this time it was different at her usual shyness, she was getting… offended.
Naruto burst in laughs at her reaction. "Ya so funny."
Hinata rolled her eyes. She didn't know why but she felt ridiculous, but not in the bad way. She started to laugh with him; it was the first time that she laughed at herself. It was strangely good.
"So, Your Majesty, it was the first time but, whaddaya think 'bout ramen?"
She finished her bowl with more good manners, eating painfully slowly. She drank another glass of water. She cleaned her mouth with a napkin, cleared her throat and when he was totally exasperated of her ritual, she said in her best proper tone. "It was delicious"
He laughed delighted at her joke.
"Now it's your turn with cinnamon rolls"
"Deal done, Hime-sama"
...
After the cinnamon rolls (which in Naruto's opinion were too sweet but he liked how soft they were, so they were good 'ttebayo.) they walked in the Senju park alone. Hinata was having fun, it's not what she expected (honestly she didn't know what expect, she had been too scared and now that was a silly thing in her mind) but they ate, laughed at each other and talked about everything, and even when they didn't say nothing was fun. Maybe this was the thing that friends do.
Hinata saw the Hyuuga Compound in the end of the street and she remembered her plan. Even if she didn't want to ruin the mood, she had to say to him.
"N-Naruto-kun, t-there is something t-t-that I really w-want to ask" she said. The stutter was back, with her nerves.
"Yeah, anything"
"I-I would like…" She hated this, she hated everything about this. "Don't shame us" "…I-I would like… i-if you don't tell anyone about… the e-engage." She was red again. "Is like a secret in my clan and only a few people know… and… and i-it's embarrassing..."
"Ok" he said serious. "But why is "embarrassing"?"
"This… I mean, be a b-bride at our age…"
"Well, it something that happen to princesses, 'ttebayo." he joked, trying to change the mood. That made Hinata smile. "Don't worry, I won't say that to anyone but… Can't you do something 'bout that? Y'know, maybe talk with your sensei or Old Man Hokage…"
"H-Hokage-sama knows and he's already agreed with that… My f-f-fiancé is rich and is someone who c-can benefit the village…" she said with resignation.
"That's not fair" groaned Naruto annoyed. "But what if you talk with the guy or maybe fight with him, you can something like that or…"
"It's okay, Naruto-kun." She didn't want to argue with him about this, not again. "This doesn't matter and I don't want to talk about that, ok?" She tried to smile. "I'll be okay."
He looked at her with a frown but he sighed "Well… is it what you wanna do…"
Hinata looked at the floor. The uncomfortable silence was again between them. She ruined it again, didn't she?
"But, in exchange I wanna something too"
"Eh?" she tilted her head
His smile was mischievous again. "Kakashi-sensei told me that that Byakugan of yours is something really, really useful" he said with playful tone. "And I really really REALLY wanna give a lesson to that Old Pervert Sennin." He smirked at her "You'll help me with that"
Hinata was surprised again with his unpredictable way of thinking. Using the Byakugan for fun? That's new. All her life they taught him that was something she had to reverence and she obeyed. She's never thought about that and she's never "given a lesson" to anyone. Maybe is time… "But, Naruto-kun… maybe is impossible, he is one of The Sannin."
"Oh, Hinata, if you are my friend, you have to know something: I'm Uzumaki Naruto and I'm gonna be the Best Ninja in the World, 'ttebayo. And that include "The Sannin". Impossible doesn't exist and I never come back to my word, that's my ninja way." He said with an overwhelming confidence that amazed Hinata "You'll see, Hinata-hime, I prove you"
Part B
The summer was approaching and the days started to shine and be more and more hotter while Hinata passed her days idly between classes of etiquette and protocol (a new order from her Father, she has to be the perfect wife), wandering in the Village, reading books in the library, going to the hospital where the doctors didn't know how to fix her, waiting for a tiny space in the heavy schedule of her sister to play with her and, after the day Hinata ate ramen for first time, meeting with Naruto.
Mostly, they talked or ate.
Knowing he was tired after his training, Hinata usually brought him bentos or sweets, or they went to Ichiraku, where Teuchi-san and Ayame-san were waiting for them with a big bowl of soup and warmness.
(And it was the only restaurant where the people were nice with him, she still didn't know why.)
Naruto told her so many things. He told him about his pranks, his mission, his training, his teammates and his dreams and Hinata always listened to him, everything.
He told her about his weird rivalry with Uchiha Sasuke and his little crush with Sakura-san. He told her about the first test that Kakashi-sensei did and his long counseling evenings with Iruka-sensei. He told her about Konohamaru, the Hokage grandson, and Teuchi-san. He told her about his weird jutsus (She couldn't believe something so outrageous like that Sexy Jutsu, she almost fainted when he showed her) and his little hobby (It was gardening, and to Hinata was lovely).
He told her about his missions. ("Eh? You had that mission too? I swear I hated that fur ball.") And Hinata found out the true about his A-rank mission (technically a C) in the Land of Waves, the bridge, Inari-kun and Tazuna-san and the sadness of the death of Haku-san and Momochi Zabuza. And once again Hinata thought that there was nothing heroic in the death.
She told him about her C- rank mission.
"OH, ya did that? That's cool! I probably wouldn't be able to do something like that 'ttebayo" he said to her. "I suck in infiltration"
"I didn't know that, Naruto-kun" and once again she was surprised that the thoughts she had about him weren't true, and that was better because now it was her new reality.
"Well, I'm not someone who ain't stand out, y'know? With all that orange. Kakashi-sensei always tell me that I have to change it, but I like this color 'ttebayo." he shrugged "But you must be really good at that, Hinata, you are practically invisible… I mean, not in the bad way, in a ninja way… Sorry"
"It's okay, Naruto-kun" Something that Hinata had learnt was never take an offence of his brutal honesty and lately Naruto was being aware of that.
Occasionally, Jiraiya-sama shared with them some of Hinata's bentos. He was like an old uncle for Naruto (who has the natural gift to make anyone part of the invisible red of his family) and she smiled with their antics, where each other boaster their triumphs. Hinata never could break the courtesy shell between The Sannin and her (That was so rude, he is a National Hero) but more than once she caught Jiraiya-sama stared at her with a grin, amusing of her blushing or her presence. She always got redder after that and Naruto always got mad at Jiraiya-sama.
"Don't you dare to do anything to Hinata, she is not like those girls in your pervert's books" Naruto threated
"You are still a brat, Naruto" Jiraiya-sama laughed. "Someday, when you grow up you will appreciate my books, mark my words kiddo."
...
One evening, Hinata was late and couldn't find Naruto in the grounds. Jiraiya-sama was there drinking sake while he was taking notes.
"He got tired quickly today, he wasted his chakra and I sent him home, you'll find him there" said the Sannin.
"Ok, thank you so much, Jiraiya-sama" Bowed Hinata, and she sighed with frustration. Maybe if she had been quicker in her lesson, she probably would have seen him. And of course, she wasn't going to his home without an invitation. That was so rude.
"You should visit him, I'm sure he didn't mind" said the man guessing her thinking. She has been that obvious? Hinata got flustered.
Jiraiya laughed. "May I ask you something, Ojou-san?" She nodded "That brat, he is your soulmate, isn't?"
Hinata blushed and she started to play with her fingers "…y-yes, he is"
"I knew it!" said Jiraiya and laughed. "I knew it! It was impossible that you were only his friend… that brat... My eyes never lie; it's another of my so many talents, Ojou-san. I know when two people are soulmates, ha ha. Can I see it? Naruto didn't let me see it" Hinata showed him her orange sun. "Wow that really suits you. You two are like that" Hinata looked at the floor, all shyness.
"And then?"
"Mmmh?" She tilted her head.
"Why ain't you two going out? It's because you are young or all this friendship thing is the new way to call it or…?" asked Jiraiya
"Oh n-no! N-no, no, Naruto-kun and I are really friends"
"Really?"
"Yes… w-we… we don't care about… that, it just a scar… I-it doesn't mean… anything..." Hinata murmured under her breath.
"It's weird, all the people I know are, at least, interested in that." Jiraiya though in loud voice. "Or something happened? Maybe Nine-Tails? I heard the Hyuuga are pretty strict…"
Hinata didn't know what to say. Nine Tails? What's that? But he was right about her family and she really didn't want he know that, still was embarrassing. She wanted go away.
The old man looked at her, suddenly serious. "Well, If I may I give you an advice, Ojou-san…" he said. Hinata nodded.
"I never meet my soulmate" He showed her a little black toad in his elbow. "It was red." He sighed "He or she died before I could meet, that was war. Probably, you don't have this in mind, but that kid is going to fight with all those rivals that always boast and I'm sure he probably prefers die before giving up, it's brave but foolish, that brat…" He smiled, nostalgic. "But he looks happy, when you come to see him. And probably right now he is sulking and with hungry in his home, alone." Hinata gulped.
"If I were you, I'll do something instead of only be polite. Life is not always long and we are soldiers… Well, is just an advice? Later, Ojou-san" And he disappeared in a cloud of smoke.
Hinata touched her chest, where was her heart. Since that fight she had been felling that, even with all the nerves, that her heartbeats were slower or erratic, like they were moving in honey.
Naruto-kun was her friend, she trusted in him but like Jiraiya-sama said he never gave up. She remembered Neji-niisan's eyes and Neji-niisan's palms and the sound of sand crushing the bodies and dyeing in red. And she didn't want that Naruto-kun gave up to his dream like her.
And she's decided. For first time in his life, she was going to be impolite.
...
It was the first time that Naruto has a guest in his home (without keeping in mind the times that Kakashi-sensei had got in and complained of his way of living) and he was in the middle of all his chaos, with a very furious Hinata in the kitchen and a par of old brief in his hands. He had been sleeping in the coach when Hinata surprised him coming to his home with two bags full of groceries.
He came back after another frustrating session of training with Ero-Sennin. He was trying with all his force to use the "other" chakra, but it was really really hard, he couldn't remember well how to he had use it in the first time, only that he was angry. So he made Kage Bunshis and fought with each other to get angry but the only thing he accomplished was getting tired earlier.
And that frustrated 'cause the days were passing and the only thing he could summon a tiny toad, not the awesome ones that Ero-Sennin called. And he didn't get news about Sasuke, but he was sure that Kakashi-sensei was teaching him cool jutsus and technics and that was making him mad. And he had no idea how to fight against that Neji bastard. Fuck.
The only good thing in all this was his new friend.
Hinata tried to come to see him, as much as she could, and that was comforting. And, oddly, every time he saw her after his training he was a strange bubbly felling in his chest that made him smile, and they shared food and missions and she listen to all the things he said. All of them. No one has had that patience, even Iruka-sensei. Weird and shy Hinata, more unpredictable than him.
Like now, after she was kicking him out from his kitchen because he wanted to help her to cook something but then he mixed the floor with sugar and broke all the eggs and she got angry. Like real angry. He's never seen her like that, and for the same strange reason her calmed and cold demeanor was worse than Sakura-chan's angry punches. Like he said, unpredictable.
Naruto sighed and tried to put his house in order, and that was more exasperating than his training. It was mess, with all those cups of instant ramen in his table, the outdated milk, all the kunai and shuriken sticking in the door and all his clothes around (include his underwear), that explained why he's never invited anyone. The only thing that was in order was his plants, green and healthy. He did his best and put all the things under his bed and threw off the garbage.
"N-Naruto-kun, would you help me to lay the table?" asked Hinata with her shy voice again, she seemed more composed after the scene.
"Yeah, of course" And he didn't know why that exchange made him smile a bit, it was something unusual in his house, almost like a family.
"I-I didn't know what to do quickly, so I made omurice. Is one of Hanabi's favorites, I hope you like it" She said while she was serving the food, two plates with the bright yellow omelet, in which she drew with ketchup a smiling face with whiskers and it smelled so good.
"It's okay. Itadakimasu!"
He devoured the omurice and it was amazing. The rice was fluffy and it had chicken (and peas?) inside it. Lately Hinata's food was ranking in his favorites, only down to Ichiraku. Even the vegetables she cooked were delicious, it was like magic.
"Wow, this was delish, 'ttebayo" said Naruto when he finished, really and he was so full of energy again that he wanted to go to train. "Tell your sister she was right. Thanks Hinata."
"You're welcome, Naruto-kun" she said shyly and suddenly, she looked nervous or uncomfortable and he didn't know why. "I-I'm sorry again to come uninvited. Mmmh… J-Jiraiya-sama told me that… you were here… a-and…"
"Yeah… I got tired quickly and he told me that I have to rest" And he said casually "Something happened?"
"Mm… no, n-nothing" She wasn't looking at him and she was twiddling her fingers. Weird. But now, Hinata was a mystery that he liked finding out.
"You broke something in my kitchen, don't cha?"
"Of course, not. I-I've never broken anything in a kitchen" She said with pride.
He raised an eyebrow, teasing her was like the easiest thing in the world. "I'm sure you did"
"I didn't"
"You did"
"I didn't"
"You did" Oh, man, he loved this game.
"I didn't and the clumsy one is you Naruto-kun" she snapped with a pout. Naruto hold a laugh, it was so funny. "You are so clumsy that you don't know how to break an e-egg"
He crossed his arms and said in fake seriousness. "Well, excuse me Your Highness, for don't know how to break an egg, 'ttebayo."
And Hinata burst in laughs; she got caught in his game again.
"I didn't know you get mad for that, Hina-hime" Naruto chuckled. After all variations, Hina-hime was his favorite nickname, it rhyme it. "You never get mad for anything, 'ttebayo."
"Well, I-I'm sorry for that too, Naruto-kun." She giggled "I shouldn't have got angry at you. It was rude. But I couldn't help it; I've always hated wasting food."
"Don't be." he said scratching his head. "You're a bit right, only a bit." She rolled her eyes. "Y'know, the only thing I cook perfectly is instant ramen, so no complains. The next time is my treat; you can choose the flavor…" They laughed. "Okay, again. But this time be honest with me, Is something happen?"
She sighed and nodded. "Ok, b-but… if I-I say this to you, you won't get a-angry, will you?"
"Duh, no."
She bit her lip and looked at his eyes, serious. "Naruto-kun, if at some point you can't fight against Neji-niisan, please forfeit"
What the hell? She was asking him the impossible.
"I can't do that, Hinata, I promised and I never go back my word"
"I-I know but… but… I-I don't want to you get hurt… The Gentle Fist works inside the Tenketsu and It's invisible without a Byakugan and… a bad hit can't get you i-incapacitate…" she clenched her hands "I don't want to that happen to you…"
"How did it happen to you?" asked him. It was a good thing she asked that, she always avoided the topic, like a cat with water.
She stared at the floor and nodded. "N-no. I'm fine, the Doctor said that…"
"Y'know, Hinata, I'm not blind." he interrupted her. "I saw you, sometimes your chest hurt and you never told me 'bout what your doctor says." Another weird thing he found: Hinata didn't want to anyone get worry at her, like she wanted to be invisible, something that he avoided all his life with passion. She was like his opposed: he always wanted to be in the center of all the attention. "And that is more reason for me to kick that bastard ass"
"Naruto-kun, you know it's not like that, It's my fault that…"
"Fault? Hinata, really?" She was getting his nerves, this girl. "Ya kiddin' me, right? And how is your fault? He insulted you before everybody. He wanted to kill you. And later he didn't look so guilty, damn it."
"It's…"
"Complicated? How? I don't give a damn about that, Hinata. You're my friend, he hurt you and he'll pay. End of the question." Naruto snorted with indignation.
But when he saw at her again, Hinata was trembling, looking like she wanted to cry. "Calm down, Naruto" Something he had learnt in this time was that Hinata wasn't like Sakura-chan, not always she said all her thoughts. And he always had to tease her or give her more space than normal to speak. Her shyness and politeness never let her shout and express her feelings for fear to hurt someone.
Naruto breathed in "And why is complicated? Why do you always defend him?"
Hinata took a short pause before look at him, her white eyes shone with resolve.
"Ok, I'm going to tell you why is my fault. Why I didn't forfeit in my fight: I-I wanted to save Neji-niisan."
"Save? Of what?"
"Of him. I wanted to prove him that I could c-change. And I thought if I could change, everything would change. And if I was able to be the Heir of the Hyuuga again, I'd be able to change the things that are wrong in my Clan. I wanted to prove him that I'm his ally. That's why I couldn't forfeit."
"I don't get it."
She sighed "It's difficult… Mmh, y-you know that my family is divided in two parts, don't you?"
"Yeah," he nodded, Bushy-Browns explained him in the exams. "And you are the Main and he is the Branch…"
"Good... Well, a long time ago to protect the Byakugan, the Main Branch invented a Seal. It's called the Caged-Bird Seal; it closes the Byakugan at death, to prevent its secrets never fall into the hands of the enemy, ok?" He agreed. "Well, this seal has another function that is control the members of the Branch House."
"I see…" said Naruto in low voice. He unconscious touch his belly, being sealed and controlled felt eerie close to him. "So, why didya use that Seal and win?"
"I don't want to use that, it's a cruel thing." She said really annoyed.
Naruto took back a bit. "Sorry, I didn't mean that." Thinking better they weren't big angry monstrous foxes, trying to destroy everything, they were people sealed like him, it felt bad. "That's why Neji was angry at you? Is this the thing you wanna change?"
"Yes, It's one of them." She answered "But Neji-niisan is angry not only for that. His father was the twin brother of my Father, and for that he was in the Branch. He was sealed for that."
He surprised. "That was weird. They were practical the same, don'cha?"
"Yes. It's doesn't make sense to me too." She shrugged "And when I was young, a ninja of Kumogakure tried to kidnap me. My family killed him but Kumo wanted retribution, he was an ambassador and he was coming for peace. For that, my Uncle was ordered to die, to protect the Main, and that's why…"
"He hates you" completed Naruto. "But that is not your fault Hinata, you were a kid. And Kumo was wrong. Your Uncle didn't deserve that."
"M-maybe you are right. But the other thing is that Neji-niisan is a g-genius, even in my Clan." She smiled sadly. "When I-I fought to him I saw it, it's amazing." And he noticed a bit of envy that escaped from her words. "He'll always be in the service to the Main, no matter how good he was. The fear of the Seal is there, someday someone will order him to die, like they did with Uncle and he would never ever live in his potential. And that's why he was so angry and he hates his destiny, because he is in the Branch." And Hinata clenched his hands with fury, his knuckles were getting white. "A-and the fact that… that I-I'm w-weak and failed only got it worse. He thought that I didn't deserve be the Heir, well he is right now..." she sighed resigned.
"Don't say that of you." Now, it was his turn to be angry "You are not weak, Hinata"
She did a heartbreaking smile and continued. "Sometimes I put myself in his place and everything is so unfair. He is like a big bird in a cage, the Branch is not his place, and he should be free. And… he is kind."
"Really?" said wryly and raised an eyebrow. He understood her but kind is the last world he'd think when he heard Hyuuga Neji.
"Yes, he is, Naruto-kun." She responded "Or that is I-I wanted to believe." She smiled, nostalgic "When we were children we always played together, and gave me gifts and he always protected me, he was like my big brother. But now he believes that things won't change and he has the right… to hate us and he is angry and sad and I don't like to see him like that because he is not like that. My brother is not like that." Naruto noticed the sadness of her voice.
"T-that was I wanted to save him, I wanted to protect him and now I failed again…" she finished frustrated. "That's why it's complicated, Naruto-kun" She smiled at him.
"Yeah, you're right" he said in quiet voice "It's complicated"
Naruto looked at Hinata in silence. As always her words left him shocked. He understood Neji's hate; it was so close to him being branded for something that he couldn't control, to being left behind. But he understood too why Hinata had stood up in front of him every time she fell and didn't give up in their fight: to prove him that the things can change. It was her way to be kind, to say to him don't lose hope, ya idiot. And Neji didn't get it.
"And they called him a genius" he thought ironically. That made him smile.
"It's complicated" Naruto repeated "but now I'm sure that I don't have to give up" His eyes shone with a new determination. "I gonna help you, Hinata, with Neji."
"B-but… but… Y-you don't have to…"
"I'm gonna fight with Neji and I'm gonna win. It's not only for you. Yes, I'm still angry for what he did to you, but is like you said it's for him. I will fight for him." A new fire was lighting in his heart. "I'm gonna prove at The "Genius" of the Hyuuga Clan that he isn't that smart like he thought, I'm gonna prove that the things can change"
The beautiful white-lavender eyes of Hinata looked at him, amazed. "Thank you" she said truthfully. He saw her true smile beaming at him and he felt like a hero.
"You'll see it, Hina-hime, we gonna change the destiny"
...
The next day, Naruto went to the training grounds and Hinata was waiting for him.
"Let's go, Naruto-kun". And the train stopped to be frustrating.
*Hanabi means firework (literally is Flower of Fire, beautiful). Hime means princess. Itadakimasu is the traditional way in Japan to thank the food. Zenzai is red bean soup, apparently is sweet. Omurice is a food of Japan, it's like an omelet of rice and it's really delicious.
-Shino was awesome, he deserved better.
-Once a time, I met someone who didn't know how to break an egg and I couldn't believe it.
I never liked the Hyuuga drama and the worst thing is that Kishimoto forgot about that in the middle and we never have a proper resolution. I wanted to flesh out their characters and their chemistry, Naruto teasing Hinata was fun to write but if one of them is occ, pls tell me.
This chapter took me more than I expected but I'm trying to have the control of this story.
I hope you like it and I hope this bonding time has been fluffy and funny. Thank you so much for the reviews and for reading this chapter. See you next time.
Edit 06/09/18: no a major changes here, a few internal monologues. Things were more easy knowing what come later.