Author note:
Dearest fans,
Thank you for your patience. After many problems, both physical and emotional, I have decided to post this newest chapter of Hinata Days, extra long.
PS: I must also thank my co-writer/editor, ElysianKiss, for helping me with character personalities.
Also I do not own Naruto or Midori Days.
Chapter 6 - Rumor has it
Sakura stood, in a state of shock. A small twinge of jealousy radiated from her heart, giving her stomach a burning ache underneath. She slowly began to recover, but wasn't as quick as the shop owner Teuchi and his daughter Ayame.
"Well that's wonderful," Ayame stated with little hearts in her eyes, thinking it was great their best customer found someone to love him.
Teuchi shared a smile to depict his happiness.
"I just hope he stops by and tells us about her. It would be a shame to lose our best customer," he added before returning to his noodles, smiling joyfully.
Sakura's mouth remained dry. She was trying to make words from the overflow of emotions she felt all trying to escape at once. She, by no means, was jealous; or at least she didn't believe that she was. Sakura had wanted for her hyperactive teammate to find someone to love and annoy, because she didn't want to be asked out on anymore dates. However, she was going to miss his affections since it did flatter a girl when she knew someone was chasing after her. The thing which ate at her the most was that Naruto hadn't told her anything about chasing after another girl. She figured being his teammate and friend should have been enough reason for him to come to her for advice. She smirked suddenly, dawning on the fact Naruto was over her. He had so easily forgotten his crush on her and moved on to someone more receptive to his actions. Ino broke the silence.
"Hey, forehead girl, what's the matter? Missing said blond already," she asked partly teasing while noting the look of hurt on her friend's face.
"Who is it," she asked, gazing downward to hide any pain she couldn't seal away at that instant.
"That's the big mystery right now, but I know he was hiding something. This morning he stopped by the shop to pick up some flowers," the perceptive blond stated while smirking.
Sakura's downward spiral of despair and pain ended at her friend's words.
"Wait, your basis for him having a girlfriend is because he bought some flowers," she half yelled, wondering if her friend just liked to screw with others.
Ino's nose cringed. She hated when someone insulted her information, she was never wrong when it came to gossip.
"Well, what else do you think he would've gotten them for," she demanded, happy that had momentarily confused Sakura who wasn't quite sure what the other reasons were for Naruto to get flowers so early in the morning.
"He….could've…," she trailed off not sure at all for any reasons her blond teammate, or anyone for that matter, could need flowers early on in the morning.
Ino had a self sure smile. She was more than happy to prove her information gathering skills, even if it was only the latest gossip it was well worth knowing. Sakura felt a growing rage manifesting in her stomach and heart. She didn't have any explanation, but for once both her outer and inner self agreed on a single course of action.
"I don't know Ino, but I'm going to ask Naruto."
*V*
Naruto arrived back at his home with his tiny companion who was wearing a smile that nearly rivaled his own. Naruto was surprised at how big of a change the second day was in comparison to the first one. Yesterday he had been so strung out that Hinata was going to be seen attached to his right hand that he didn't truly have time to enjoy himself. It was quite shocking how much he was enjoying the time he had together with Hinata-chan. In some way he wondered if this was what a relationship did for everyone…taking away the pain that came from being lonely every day. Hinata snapped him out of his thoughts as she tapped him on the cheek while he maneuvered around the pile of all his dirty clothes.
"Um, Naruto-kun,…I don't mean to complain but…," she began and started to tap her index fingers together.
"Hmm," he asked, not noticing the disorderly way he kept his home.
"Um, Naruto-kun, maybe it would be best we clean up your home a….little bit," she stressed the last part noticing already it was going to be a hard task to clean the place with the clothing pile, combined with the fact she doubted Naruto ever dusted.
Naruto looked around at the mess he called a home, and ultimately came to a simple conclusion. This place was probably unacceptable to Hinata since she did have a clan compound with a branch family that acted like the hired help.
"Awww, but I'm hungry now," he groaned, feeling hungry. But he also hadn't cleaned his house in sometime since he only cleaned when some friends were going to visit him; which was far and in between considering only Sakura, Kakashi, and Jiraiya came to see him and all had grown accustomed to the mess, so he learned to just skip the formality.
Hinata tapped her fingers together thinking of what they could do. She didn't want to starve Naruto, but she wondered if maybe he would actually like having a clean home to live in. Mostly she wanted to act as the perfect girlfriend for him by doing the things a perfect wife would.
"Naruto-kun, why don't you make a few clones to take care of the house work, and as a reward I'll make you some homemade ramen along with the rest of your meal," she smiled, hoping it would make him happy to get his favorite food along with other nutritious things that would benefit him.
"Hey, why didn't I think of that," he asked with a big grin and instinctively put his hands together, accidentally bumping Hinata into the palm of his other hand.
"AH…Sorry, Hinata-chan," he yelped rubbing her head with his hand.
"It's alright, Naruto-kun, let me henge into a hand first," she laughing off the small shock forming a basic seal, "Henge!"
A small cloud of smoke covered her leaving Naruto's usual right hand.
"Alright. Kage Bunshin no jutsu," he said as five clones appeared in their individual clouds of smoke. "Alright, guys, let's get this place cleaned up," he yelled.
His clones all give him clueless looks, but they decided to go along with it as they split up into groups. Two went to take care of the clothes around the house; two more went to clean the floors, windows, and dusting. The last clone put on a cold mask and a pair of orange tinted goggles as he took a bottle of cleaning chemical and ventured into the bathroom to take care of the porcelain bio-hazard, and shower ring. Hinata henged back into her original form and took Naruto over to the refrigerator as she began to prep the ingredients for the second meal she would prepare for him.
*V*Outside
Sakura had taken it upon herself to head straight to her blond teammates home. If anything she could hopefully catch Naruto red handed with his "girlfriend."
'Why am I so aggravated that Naruto has a girlfriend,' she thought while heading over as her inner self began to argue the point.
'Naruto should have told us right away…that's why were angry dammit,' yelled inner Sakura.
'Well, yes, we're his teammate. It just doesn't make sense that he wouldn't even ask me for some sort of advice about even talking to a female,' she grumbled back
'Naruto should have at least told us, hell yeah! He shouldn't be allowed to be chasing someone else,' inner Sakura said, crawling into a corner in Sakura's head and brooding.
This caused the pink hair kunochi to stop in her tracks. She hadn't been paying much attention to where she was walking, but now she was standing right in front of the blonde's home. The door stood there, almost mocking her, as she prepared herself to knock; but she found herself in a mental argument with the last comment her inner self had made.
'I don't want Naruto to chase anyone else?...But, I don't feel anything toward Naruto…he can be really annoying, obnoxious, rude, loud…'
'Caring, determined, loving, passionate, motivated, and has a wonderful goal,' her inner self cut in causing Sakura to feel her face flush and a small tremor race from her head to toes.
"I don't love Naruto-kun, do I," she asked not getting an answer from her inner voice.
She felt all her emotions mixing around in her heart, making it feel like it was about to burst from her chest. Why did it hurt so much? What could she be feeling toward him? No, Naruto wasn't a love interest he was a friend only….yes that's it…, but he was also her lifeline.
Naruto was a wonderful companion during tough missions. He was always full of confidence in his own abilities and her own. He had also stood by her through the worst times, like when Sasuke had become a missing nin. But she still loved Sasuke didn't she? She hated how he acted and the fact he couldn't share his emotions, he was always so closed off and self centered…she just wished he was more like Naruto.
Her eyes shot wide when she said that…She wanted Sasuke to be more like Naruto? Did she not want Sasuke at all and just want Naruto? She began to nearly hyperventilate. It couldn't be. She wasn't in love with Naruto, nor was she jealous…yes that was it. She wasn't jealous, but then why did Naruto having someone love him take him away from her.
'Take him away from me,' she thought blushing at the thought.
She was thinking as if Naruto was her boyfriend, but that doesn't make sense. Her train of thought came to a crashing halt as the door lock clicked out of place, the door knob turned and revealed one Naruto Uzumaki exiting his home with a trash bag at his side. He looked outside and noticed not a single person. He could've sworn he saw a bit of red cloth and pink but shook his head ignoring it all together. The smell of the food coming from the kitchen was too intoxicating for the real Naruto or his clones to truly focus on things other than their tiny cleaning chores before the coming meal.
"Hey come on this is heavy," said the clone behind him, as he shoved the first one out the door.
"Alright, alright," responded the first clone to the other, carrying the bags out of the house and placing them in the trash cans down the stairs.
Sakura sat in a tree across the street from Naruto's home, she sighed with relief now knowing Naruto hadn't seen her. But now she was more interested in the conversation going on between the shadow clones.
"Hurry up, the sooner we finish, the faster we get to go back inside and eat."
"Yeah, but I can't wait. The last meal was wonderful I wonder what she has planned for today?"
"Doesn't matter. I know I love ramen, but I don't think anyone else can cook this good," the other replied, heading back inside the house and locking the door behind them.
The pinked haired medic ninja couldn't believe her ears. Naruto already had the girl over and she was cooking him lunch? How was it possible he moved things so fast? Wait, what if he wasn't moving fast at all? She took a deep breath focusing on the last few missions she had accomplished with the hyperactive ninja. The last few quick ones she had noticed he didn't stare at her the way he used to. For the last few years she knew all the little things the blond boy had done to show his longing affection. He would stare at her when he figured she wasn't looking during meals, offer her the bed if there wasn't enough room at the inn, and take her watch when she complained about being too tired. But on the last few missions she noticed the little things he had done to make her feel special…he hadn't done any of them.
*V* Two weeks earlier.
Naruto and Sakura had been assigned to complete a C-rank mission just on the border of fire country. They had been sent to do a simple scroll delivery to a small village concerning the negotiation agreement between the two villages to combine their trade and bring greater wealth to their citizens. They had already delivered the documents and were about to return home, but since a rain storm had come in the two were required to take shelter at the local inn. Sakura had approached the counter and asked for a single room, she figured with her sleeping on the bed Naruto would be perfectly fine with resting on the floor.
"Can we get a second room please," Naruto asked.
Sakura narrowed her eyes at him…why was he asking for another room? He normally would jump at the chance to spend a night in the same room as her.
"There isn't any need for…," she started only to be cut off.
"No, I want my own room, Sakura-chan," he stated flatly, paying from his own pocket and leaving her company right away.
Sakura shrugged, not thinking much of it, and decided just to enjoy her time to herself in a quiet room and a comfy bed.
*V*
Sakura's mind was doing a million miles a second…which was why she didn't notice the blonde female landing right next to her.
"Hey, forehead girl?" asked Ino as she waved her hands in her friends face, noticing the million mile away look.
The pink haired girl drowned out the annoying sound of her friend with the horrible thoughts clouding her mind and heart at the moment. Sakura didn't want to admit it, but her conscience was starting to eat at her as she recalled the past few weeks with her teammate. She was noticing more and more that she had been totally oblivious to the distance Naruto was putting between them.
'What if Naruto has been with this girl for a few weeks now and I hadn't noticed,' she thought, finally coming out of her daze when she felt Ino pinch her cheeks.
"OW," she yelped, giving Ino a look that could freeze the sun.
"Sakura what's going on? Why are you acting so spaced out," Ino demanded partly due to curiosity, but also because she had never seen her friend and rival act in such a strange way…well except when around that pain in the ass Uchiha.
"It's …nothing….nothing at all," Sakura deflected it.
She didn't want her friend thinking she loved Naruto or something odd like that. She just wasn't prepared for Naruto having a relationship when she didn't, so she wasn't jealous just envious yes that was it.
'Hell yeah, that's all it is, we just want a relationship like Naruto. We want someone to treat us the way Naruto would treat his girlfriend,' her inner self agreed.
Ino stared at her confused about why she was blushing, but didn't want to push the issue any further then she needed. Besides Sakura wasn't her gossip issue. Right now she needed to focus on Naruto and why there was such a wonderful smell coming from his home. She was pretty sure he didn't know how to cook. Sakura, on the other hand, seemed to be having a continual mental battle. She was deciding whether to stay outside and wait until the two came out, or just smash the damn door down and catch the two doing whatever couples did in a house away from seeing eyes. She already seemed to be fuming with killing intent since Naruto's two sensei's were both perverted and she didn't want to know all the creepy things Jiraiya had rubbed off on him while he was away training.
*V*
Naruto had a giant smile across his face, along with an enormous sweat drop at seeing that a curry of potato, beef, carrot, and pepper was the meal for lunch. Hinata was shocked to see Naruto so nervous around the curry that she had created, but then again she had heard the stories from Neji about the mission into lightning country and the infamous "curry of life."
"It's alright, Naruto. I promise you this batch of curry won't be terrible," she reassured him, but he wasn't quite convinced.
Once he laid eyes on the special homemade ramen Hinata had made for him, he let it go; especially since this curry had an orange colored sauce instead of that blood red or tar black color. It never ceased to amaze him how much he truly didn't know about the shy Hyuuga.
"Wow, it looks great, Hinata-chan," he praised her as he filled up his own plate and set the table.
"Well, I hope you enjoy the meal. I didn't have all the ingredients to make the broth spicy for you though," she chimed as they went back to get her a little plate as well.
"Don't worry about it. I'm just glad to have someone cooking for me, it's not every day you get an heir to a clan cooking special meals for you," he smiled when he noticed the blush which refused to fade off Hinata's face.
"I'm really surprised you're able to cook so well, Hinata-chan. Do you cook for your family very often," he wondered while thinking her skills had been sharpened not just due to her upbringing, but possibly since she lost her mother she had to take over as the mother for her family.
"Um…actually…I," she started to trail off, flicking her fingers together and turning her reddened face down to save her from some of the embarrassment.
Naruto couldn't help but smile at the way Hinata reacted to him asking her personal questions. Before, he would've figured she was just being weird and quiet, but now he had to admit it was cute the way she got flustered just from talking to him; that and red really did look good on her due to her pale skin.
'Where did that thought come from,' he wondered, realizing he had just thought of Hinata as attractive.
No he shouldn't think that. She would go back to her original self someday. If he felt this way about her when she didn't faint, would he feel the same for her when she went right back to her old body and fainting self? Naruto stopped his thinking and lightly raised her chin up with one of his fingers to get her answer, praying to kami her answer to his question would get his mind off sweet female attached to him.
"Well…," he asked, not knowing the full effect he was having on her.
Hinata felt her very soul being swallowed up by the two limitless oceans which were her loves eyes. When she looked into those eyes of his, it made her feel like she was the most important person in the entire world. She felt courage and confidence engulfing her, which she should have expected since her naturally beamed confidence.
"I don't cook for my family often, Naruto-kun,…I…I," she swallowed hard and tried her best to keep her eye contact with him, even with the butterflies in her stomach multiplying with each second under his gaze.
"I learned to cook so I could take care of you," she spat out in a single breath and felt her eyes widen with having admitted more of her secrets to her precious Naruto-kun without fainting.
She was getting happier with each day. She would never regret this curse, even if she never returned back to her body or got to share other intimate things with her one and only. She was happy getting to just talk to him without fainting.
Naruto was at a loss of words. He hadn't looked in the shy girl's way because he only now noticed he had tunnel vision when it came to love interests, seeing as he did chase after Sakura for so many years with only bruises to show for it. But that wasn't the only thing weighing on his mind. Hinata had been shy, yes, but from what he could tell she was had been doing her best to become someone he could come to love and respect; and also a women who could one day take care of him since she seemed to feel guilty about not being at his side when he was lonely, especially if she has loved him since their academy days.
"Um…Hinata-chan," he asked, getting her attention and giving her a look she herself wasn't exactly sure meant. "Well…I….well…I….You…I"
*Knock* *knock* *Knock*
Naruto closed his mouth turning to the door and feeling the worry and fear come back full force and make his stomach swell up like a balloon.
'Who is it at this time,' he wondered slowly
"What should we do," Hinata asked freaking out because she didn't know someone would come visit them.
Whoever it was didn't matter at all, all that truly mattered at the moment was keeping their secret safe.
"Hurry up and henge I'll send a clone to the door."
Hinata changed back into a normal looking hand, she could still see but in this shape she wouldn't be able to talk. All she could do now was sit back and hope Naruto was able to get rid of whoever was trying to visit. The clone from the bathroom exited the bathroom with a look of disgust and shock plastered on his face. He took off the mask and goggles and gave his master a stare and got the "GET THE DOOR" look when he heard another barrage of controlled punches into his now cracking door which squeaked/pleaded for help.
The clone walked forward and answered the door, keeping the chain still attached, just in case he needed to immediately slam the door allowing his control the chance to escape.
"Hello," sang Sakura, hiding her inner rage and curiosity well and trying to get into Naruto's house after her earlier conversation with a different loud, annoying blond.
*V*
"Wait, so Naruto has his girlfriend inside his home, alone with him," Ino asked her pink haired friend who looked nervous as she started to slowly chew on her lips and fingernails.
"Yeah, I heard his clone say that no one cooked as good as her," Sakura mumbled, though her mind was already contemplating thousands of ways to get herself in her teammates home.
"If she's already cooking for him…imagine all the other wonderful things they do for each other," Ino started, feeling she was getting little blushes from thinking of all the romantic and intimate things they did for together; she had wanted someone to give her flowers for so long.
Sakura couldn't take it anymore. She gulped down her taunting thoughts and decided to take matters into her own hands. It was one thing to imagine what could be going on inside her friend's home, but she would feel better if she just walked in and saw what was truly happening.
"Ino, go to the back window in case she tries to leave," she demanded, leaving her friend to watch her with wide eyes as she stomped up to the apartment door and began to pound it with her fist.
*V*
"Oh, Hi Sakura-chan…what are you doing here? You need something," the clone asked, acting like the real Naruto would.
Thankfully, he was feeling a bit more secure since it was Sakura and she never dropped by for anything besides check-ups and relaying mission orders for their squad.
"I just wanted to say hello. I was walking home and thought I would drop by since you didn't look too good yesterday."
"Um, yeah. Well, I'm fine now so you don't need to worry about me," he smiled and hoped she would leave at that, but soon noticed she was keeping the door opened with her own hand.
"Um, what's that smell are you cooking something," she asked, trying to put on her best face to appear sweet and innocent.
"It's just some homemade ramen and curry," he said bluntly.
He soon heard the sound of what he thought was his own stomach grumbling, but soon noted it was the pink haired kunoichi's and not his own.
"I'm sorry," she said blushing since she didn't want to admit it, but the food smelled good and she had skipped lunch to finish all her orders for Tsunade-sama.
"Can I please have a little bit of your food," she pleaded, noticing the saddened look of her teammate's face.
She wanted to smirk since she knew this would get her inside his home and let her see what was going on. The clone knew better than to just invite Sakura-chan in, but it also understood that the real Naruto wouldn't turn his friend away even given the situation and it also provided him a chance to make things appear normal and keep up appearances to avoid suspicion.
"Alright, I'm sure there is enough for the two of us, come on in I'm at the table," the clone said vanishing in a puff of smoke and transferring his memories to his master.
Sakura blinked a few times, happy her friend was smart enough to unlock the door before dispelling his clone. But why in the first place was Naruto using clones in his home?
She took a step in and immediately noticed something was definitely off. Naruto's home was entirely spotless. There wasn't a single piece of clothing laying on the floor, which looked like it was just freshly scrubbed. The aroma of the apartment was different too. The entire residence seemed filled with a delicious cascade of smells and only further added anticipation to the taste of the dish which was made from scratch, or at least she guessed it was.
She snapped out of her moment of hunger stupidity and focused on the main reason she was there. If the girl her friend was dating was here chances were she either was still inside or made an escape out the window, and if she did Ino would be there to identify her. She passed through the small living room which, surprisingly to her, actually had a couch underneath all the garbage Naruto called clothing. When she came into the living room, she was shocked to see Naruto on his knees with a small table in front of him with a table cloth over it and his right hand underneath the cloth to keep Hinata hidden. Even if she was a hand he needed to take the extra precautions.
"Hiya, Sakura-chan. The food is in the kitchen, feel free to take some," he said, hoping it would be a simple snatch and snack for his friend so he and Hinata-chan could have a peaceful lunch together.
It was odd to him the way Sakura seemed to be almost searching for something in the way she was staring around his entire home, but he figured it had something to do with the house being cleaned up. She gave her brightest smile and noticed the living, dining area, and the kitchen were clear. There wasn't anyone else inside. It was strange. She openly figured to catch Naruto at home with a special someone. There was something happening and she had to try and make sure her blond, aggravating friend was seeing someone.
'Hmm Naruto is loyal to a fault…maybe I can see if he'll accept a little date from me,' she thought with an unexpected smile of joy.
"Um Naruto…you wouldn't mind if we had lunch together," she half asked, half stated while giving him a small smile showing a tiny bit of her teeth.
Naruto's eyes widened, but didn't know exactly how to answer. He had to admit he didn't feel really anything besides friendship towards Sakura, or at least he believed his didn't. It wouldn't be right to just force her out when she was hungry…the least he could do was let her eat something then get her to leave. He just hoped Hinata would forgive him, since it was a special meal she made specifically for the two of them.
Hinata, on the other hand, felt her heart crack. She didn't want to get caught. She felt adamant about that since it would only make things worse for her Naruto-kun. However, him sharing a meal she poured both her heart and whole being into with the one person she saw as her rival in having Naruto's heart to herself hurt beyond words. She felt like crying…she couldn't take it and changed back into her normal form, still out of sight, so she could openly sob.
Naruto gritted his teeth, trying to come to a simple answer. His arm felt like a small tremor rush through it for reasons unknown to him. Sakura took a deep breath, still not getting an answer from her teammate, but suddenly came to a realization that she hadn't before. There was a single place she hadn't checked. She stared at the bathroom door with the familiar sensation of fear gripping her heart and causing her to get slightly dizzy and breathe a bit harder. She hadn't used Naruto's bathroom in that past, but from what Kakashi-sensei had warned her…she was willing to chance another encounter with Orochimaru then explore further. Now it would only eat at her until she doubled checked the place.
"Um, excuse me for a moment please, Naruto," she said not wanting to ask to use the bathroom since it would seem a bit too embarrassing; that and she still had a large amount of modesty.
She rose up and walked off toward the bathroom. Closing her eyes tightly, she pulled the door open only to be met with the refreshing smell of oranges? She blinked a few times and entered slowly just in case her nose wasn't working, but to her amazement it was no mistake or genjutsu. The entire house was spotless clean, and somehow there was still not a single person home besides Naruto. She closed the door behind her and decided to wait for a little while. She couldn't just go in and come out, but now her thoughts were starting to eat away at her.
'Where the hell was that girl Naruto was talking about,' her mind thundered as she thumped her head up against the tile wall feeling like she was losing some form of her sanity.
"Naruto is trying to make us jealous, and also drive us crazy let's just beat the information out of him Dammit," her other personality yelled, only trying to help her cope with the problem she was in.
She took a few deep breaths and gathered up what self control and courage she had left in her body. She needed to get this problem solved and soon.
Outside the bathroom there was an even more tense conversation taking place between Naruto and the Hyuuga attached to his right hand. Naruto was a little dumbfounded when Sakura suddenly asked to use his bathroom, but he took it as a mixed blessing since he could check on Hinata-chan. He was greeted with the soft sniffles and gasps of someone crying. He stared at the girl on his hand and noticed that, even with her pale colored eyes, she still was able to get blood shot in her eyes for excessive crying.
"Hinata-chan….what's wrong," he whispered, trying his best to keep from alerting the pink haired ninja in the bathroom.
"Wh….why….why are…you…eating with her?"
She sobbed trying her best to stop her blubbering but failing miserably.
"I'm not, I wanted a nice meal for us both we-"
"Do you like her," she demanded tears still filling her eyes and threatening to overflow.
"Wait…what?!
"Do you like her, Naruto-kun?"
"I, well….there is….well, I'm not sure…I don't know," he stuttered on feeling his tongue tying itself in knots preventing him from speaking.
That and for some reason, when Hinata-chan talked with tears in her eyes it somehow frightened him just a bit.
"I think-"
"Sorry to keep you waiting," Sakura chimed, coming out and suddenly seeing the jolt the blond did when she came back out almost like he was startled by her.
"Oh, it's nothing at all..absolutely okay, nothing wrong," he said far too fast, slowly letting a goofy smile go on to cover up the nervous stare he was doing toward a wooden table that was growing more and more interesting.
Sakura had a giant smile on, she knew now the best way to get Naruto to show if he was with someone or not.
"Um, Naruto-kun, can I ask you something," she knelt down next to him at the table and eased her hands over to take a hold of his left hand…which was covered in more sweat than usual.
"Y…yes," he stuttered out, feeling himself becoming like his Hyuuga friend being as they were technically one person at the time.
"You see, I was planning to go and see that new film 'Tranquil Sonata' with Shizune-senpai, but since we are still behind in missions due to our lacking of high ranking healers Shizune has been pulled away onto a new mission. I was just wondering if you would like to come along since no one else can. I mean, it's your favorite actress, Princess Koyuki Kazahana. I figured you wouldn't mind coming along."
She held back a smirk, knowing that Naruto wouldn't turn it down for two reasons: she was offering Naruto an actual date for once, and it was his favorite actress. It was a guaranteed way to see if he was seeing someone else.
Hinata closed her eyes tight after hearing the offer Sakura had just made. She wanted to scream a deafening "NO" so she could manage to get her rival out their home! She placed her hands over her mouth doing her best to keep herself from bursting.
'Why does she need to go asking Naruto-kun out now? Does she know what's going on,' her mind didn't stop throwing outrageous possibilities out until she held her breath not knowing what Naruto's answer was going to be.
"Um…well…now isn't a good time, Sakura-chan," he said slowly, doing his best to tell her without freaking out.
Naruto partly wanted to go because it was a free movie. To make it more appealing his favorite actress was staring in it (that and he never admitted it to anyone, but his picture with her autograph he kept hidden in a frame underneath his bed in a case needing his chakra to open). However, he couldn't go. There was no way he could, Hinata-chan was attached to his hand for Kami's sake, he wouldn't put her in danger she was one of his precious people.
"Really? Why can't you go with me," she asked, almost seeming like she was pleading for him to reconsider and come along with her.
"I just have other plans that's all. Besides, I'm sure you can get someone else to go with you…Sai might be free," he smiled happy to push the subject away from himself
However, he felt his heart go down his throat and start to boil away in his stomach from the killer intent radiating out from his friend was stifling.
Hinata smile widely, feeling her tears instantly dry from what his answer meant.
'Naruto-kun cares enough about me to turn down Sakura-chan.'
The small Hyuuga knew deep down it wasn't right to take pleasure in another's misfortune, but it felt good knowing Naruto-kun was putting her first before his own wants. It almost felt like they were a couple already. She was brought out of her time of bliss by the demon like killing presence radiating from the seemingly harmless appearing girl.
Sakura couldn't take it; he was doing everything in his power to avoid a direct answer.
"Who is it Naruto-kun…who are you dating," she demanded pointing a finger and him and having the vein in her forehead pulsating more than usual with her anger flare.
'What,' thought the conjoined pair wondering where that question had come from…and why was Sakura asking that anyways?
"Wait…what? I'm not-"
"Ino told me already that you got flowers this morning. I know you can't cook, and your home is clean for once. Who is it that your trying to impress? And why are you not telling me," she cut him off and asked more questions than was possible in a single breath.
"Wait, you're spying on me," he asked, feeling violated and continued on feeling he needed to ask more questions. "Why do you think I can't cook? And why can't I just clean my house once in a while?"
He felt his own anger rising a bit but knew it be best he try and remain calm. Sakura stopped for a second to take what he said to heart. She was spying on her friend, and automatically assuming he was doing something like dating someone just because he did something out of the ordinary. Nevertheless, the rage she had already built snapped the twig that was her common sense and sent her doing something she would regret.
"Why won't you tell me what's going on," she asked, getting emotional as the stinging sensation came to her eyes getting her tear ducts ready for a fresh wash.
"It's just complicated. You couldn't understand," he said and soon realized that wasn't the best choice of words.
"Why," she said gritting her teeth hard enough to cause a scratching sounds loud enough for Naruto to hear.
Sakura let go allowing her inner self to fully take over her actions.
"Don't keep secrets from me," she yelled, punching Naruto in the chest sending him flying off his knees and smashing into the wall behind him making a crater in the shape of his back in the wall.
Sakura abruptly turned not caring to even look at the blond any longer. She felt disgusted and mistreated it was just so agitating she couldn't bear to handle it any longer.
"Fine, Naruto. Keep your damn secret," she stomped off, slamming the door making the entire apartment complex shake with the devastating amount of power she had hidden away when she wasn't using it.
Naruto felt like his brain had just been rearranged in his skull. There was also a good chance he wouldn't be able to breathe properly until his fox tenant fixed the injured muscles and bone. He felt his vision blur and start to refocus once the initial shock had relieved itself. But it was the soft feel of caring mini hands along his cheeks that brought the reality and pain back that much sooner.
"Naruto-kun are you okay? Please be okay? Answer me," Hinata begged while rubbing his face with worried hands, attempting to bring her injured love back to the realm of the living.
"I'm…fine I th-h-h-think," he grumbled as his ribs popped back into place.
"Do you think everything is going to be alright," she asked, seeing the dent he had left in the wall.
"We'll be fine, Hinata-chan," he stated.
Abruptly, as a loud hissing sound soon turned into a loud boom when the water pipe Sakura had punched him into broke and sprayed over them both soaking them from head to toe.
"And we'll need to bathe at the hot spring from now on," he said now frustrated that the perfect day, though not fully over, was just ruined.
Hinata gave a small pout and wiped the moist hair out of her face so she could look at her love.
"How can things get worse," she asked happy that it was the water pipe and not the septic one.
*V*
The two stood at the front gates of the Hyuuga compound. They were feeling awkward that they had been invited over to the clan compound by the head, Hiashi, and not their teammate who they had yet to see over the past two days. Kiba and Shino didn't think it was too much out of the ordinary for their teammate to disappear for a few days, since the clan did require her to stay home and meet with members of the council. However, Hinata never once had just fallen off the map and not even sent them a single sign she was alright. Even though it was subtle like a simple message sent via a clan messenger or a simple hello passed from a friend it was always something.
Kiba yawned. He was feeling tired and wanted a nap since they had just finished eating at one of the local barbecue restaurants.
"I wonder what Lord Hiashi wants us for," he groaned out, noting the stoic stare of the bug user.
Shino only nodded his head, showing he agreed with his friend. There seemed to be no logical reason for a clan head to invite both of them over. Neither of them was a clan head, nor did they ever even see Hiashi anytime they had visited in the past. The silence shared between them only continued to rise in tension since they had been told to meet at the front entrance at two o'clock in the afternoon and it was currently five minutes past that time.
Kiba lightly tapped his foot which he brought to an abrupt halt when Shino slowly turned his head to the side showing the sound was becoming a nuisance.
"Please come in," said the voice of someone they recognized
The large wooden clan doors slowly parted showing a long haired, male Hyuuga in his traditional white gi. He was looking at the two, knowing exactly why they were there.
"Please come in and follow me."
He lead the two through the numerous turns and twists of the clan house, which to an outsider was nearly a maze unto itself. There was no conversation passed between the group. Despite them all being friends and squad mates, this wasn't a social gathering, and given what Neji had been instructed by Hiashi and the status of the situation he needed to keep everything he could to himself.
When they did finally arrive to the meeting room that belonged to Hiashi Hyuuga, Neji knocked three times and waited for the now seemingly tired voice of the clan head bid him to enter.
"Enter," he said, trying his hardest to seem well rested and powerful.
The door slowly opened and Neji allowed the two to enter as he excused himself from the meeting, already now knowing what the situation was - that and Hiashi had specifically requested he not stay and hear of the proposition he was handing to Hinata's team.
Hiashi had done his best to keep himself looking proper and well kept, despite the fact he had only managed to sleep a total of six hours for the past two days.
"I am pleased you two were both able to make this meeting. To be blunt with you, the clan elders have not been informed of this meeting. Also, whatever I am about to tell you never leaves this study. I don't need to tell you what will happen if this information becomes public knowledge."
Kiba nodded feeling slightly threatened by the older man. but did his best to hide it away. Shino, on the other hand, seemed somehow to remain indifferent to the tension in the room. That or he was merely able to hide his emotions better than anyone gave him credit.
"This is a clan secret and I will expect two of my daughter's teammates to not betray her by trust."
The two nodded their heads waiting for Hiashi to continue on.
"Two days ago Hinata was found inside her room unconscious and she has yet to wake up or show any signs of life. Her condition has been diagnosed by the Hokage who can see no way to wake her from this sleep."
Kiba's mouth dropped and he felt his heart being ripped from the security of his ribcage, he couldn't believe what he was hearing. It made absolutely no sense that this could happen. He never wanted to admit it, especially not to Hiashi Hyuuga, but Kiba saw Hinata as more than just a friend. He deeply wanted to take things further than that of friendship, but he always saw the way she would act around Naruto and he figured it be best to hold back until she at least told the idiot how she felt. However, the fact she was in a permanent sleep didn't just force him to be sick to his stomach, he felt angered that there wasn't anything he could do.
Shino, for his collected attitude, actually raised an eye brow in surprise at the current situation. He was trying to see the situation from a logical stand point. If this had been poisoning or another attempt by a foreign country to capture a Hyuuga, such an attempt would've been identified by Tsunade-sama and the person caught. There had been no trade or foreign relations between any of the villages occurring, so it left him confused as to why Hinata would be in the state she was in. He thought for a moment on the issue. Hinata had been in perfect health at their last team medical check-up. Even if they didn't work as a team all the time after their advancements they had been forcibly encouraged by Kurenai to, as friends, at least make their health known to each other in case of accidents during missions and in the village.
"I am confused to one thing, Hiashi-sama. Given Hinata's situation there wasn't any reason for you to inform her teammates of it, even would place her in inactive duty. I am curious as to why you would offer such sensitive information to us unless you were planning to ask us for assistance in the matter," Shino concluded, approaching closer to the desk and took his place at a corner seeming to try his best to imitate a statue.
"I expected nothing less from an Aburame clan member to see through to the issue at hand; the purpose of you two knowing this is that I am offering you both a mission concerning the unwise obsession of my daughter's."
Kiba gave Hiashi a confused look, but it soon came to understanding once Shino said the name of said person.
"Naruto," he said with just as much indifference as the Hyuuga clan head.
"Yes, I am giving you both a mission concerning Uzumaki. I need you both to watch him and report of anything peculiar in his daily life."
Kiba had met with plenty of important individuals throughout his ninja carrier, but now he couldn't contain himself given what they were being asked to do.
"Why would we want to follow that idiot around?! How the hell does that help out Hinata," he near demanded, but felt himself shut up when met with the icy glare of a angered, insulted, and maybe even slightly protective father.
"Inuzuka, I am a man of patience, but I will not tolerate you raising your voice to me. You would do well to remember your place," he said with a voice that threatened death and torture if Kiba didn't take his words back.
Shino took the chance to cover for his friend, even though he secretly hated how so many of his fellow leaf shinobi allowed their emotions to rule them. His family truly needed to ask the Hokage to have classes to teach them to control their emotions.
"I believe what Kiba meant is we are having trouble understanding the reason spying on a fellow leaf shinobi, who has had little to no contact with Hinata, over the past two days could help prove anything fruitful in improving her condition, Hiashi-sama."
"I didn't plan on needing to explain the situation to either of you, given your both tracking ninja. However, my faith in your abilities of perception were overestimated. Very well, over the past few years Hinata has been showing physical side effects of watching the Uzumaki chase after other females. I have information proving that Naruto Uzumaki has possibly found a companion willing to have a relationship with him. I believe this was also known by my daughter, which is what must have put her into such a state. Therefore, I am requesting you both follow him until we can find out if this is the cause," Hiashi finished and waited for either of the boys to depict any type of emotion, but he wasn't holding his breath for the Aburame member.
Both boys were thinking the same thing. If this was some way to help Hinata, then it was worth them trying. They turned as one nodding their agreement.
"We'll do it," Kiba voiced for both of them.
*V*
He hadn't planned in any way to leave Hiashi alone with both Hinata's teammates and not spy on their conversation. Neji took his ear off a wall from the library located adjacent to the study. He didn't like to resort to such an amateur way of gathering information, but it had its uses. He wasn't sure how to react to the situation. He knew also that Naruto Uzumaki was acting strange, even for being himself, and to have both males trying to spy on him wasn't the right way to go about this. He sighed leaving for his room. If Hiashi was going to have eyes on Naruto…then maybe he could keep his eyes on them and Naruto.