Naruto: The Soaring Leaf
CHAPTER 4
A Peace Amidst The Clouds
Part 2
Fire Mountain
Their eyes were locked and in his gaze, Hinata could feel the warmth and love he had for her. He slowly approached her and he took her in his arms for a warm embrace. The glow his eyes had provided was gone and so the cave had succumbed to the natural absence of that light. So without her Byakugan active she could not see in the preternatural darkness of the cave.
It did not matter to her. All that mattered was her Naruto-Kun, because being in his arms after the long absence was enough.
"Illumination" she heard him whisper and with that, word a fire sprang to life and slowly the cave was illuminated. Although she had been here before it still astounded her.
The cave size was deceptive in the dark but that deception always vanished when the light came to reveal a large space. It was not just a hole carved into the mountainside; it was something that seemed otherworldly. The walls were as smooth as glass and in some places they were shot through with rare minerals that reflected the light in a myriad of colors. It was breathtaking. Blues from the sapphires, reds from the ruby's, green' from the emeralds, purples from the amethyst, it was a fortune in rare precious stones and metals.
Along one of the walls, there were four large bookcases with five shelves and on each shelf and there were scrolls of various sizes. The scrolls themselves were ancient yet they showed no sign of decay, some Jutsu that escaped her understanding preserved them but it did not escape Naruto's understanding. She had asked him what they had contained but he had simply shrugged saying that they had nothing to say to anyone except him. At the time, she had been hurt thinking that he did not want to share this place with her but he had sensed her feelings and he had shown her a scroll.
It had been blank.
She then activated her Byakugan to see, what could be seen and with what she saw she was shocked. Chakra. A swirling well of Chakra, it spiraled around the scroll in an unceasing motion and its source and aspect could not be clearly identified. When she looked at the shelves, she was disorientated by the swirling Chakra that ran across all the scrolls. She had known that her shock and dismay was evident on her face but Naruto had offered nothing. She realized that with his Eyes, he could see beyond her or anyone else and so she knew, the truths held in those scrolls were for him and him alone.
Though he was the only one able to See, she knew that it was not enough. He had told her that the Truth in those Scrolls was not simple and easy to understand… The scrolls were just one of the mysteries of this place.
Along the opposite wall was the grand fireplace that illuminated the large space and Hinata knew that the fire never truly died it only, for lack of a better word, slept. Waking up at the single command uttered from Naruto's lips. Above the fireplace was a large gold and platinum Spiral symbol that seemed to be a part of the mountain, it's perception shifting to make it seem like it was spinning, endlessly spinning. In front of the fireplace were two large chairs crafted from oak, with luxurious silk cushions and there was a plush carpet at their feet.
The main feature that attracted most of her attention was the large obsidian table that was at the centre of the space. It was made from the rarest metal in the world, Onyxen, and she could not even calculate its worth. Whole Countries could be founded or ransomed with this one piece. The mystical rare metal had been coveted and hoarded by many over the centuries and its cost was beyond measure. When misused the metal would lose all of it's properties turning into nothing more than an ordinary rock and from the histories she had read she had found that the metal was misused by all who came into possession of it. To the world, it had ceased to exist, but here in this place it flourished. It seemed that in this place the metal was not being misused, it was as if the sanctity of this place kept the metal in its ultimate state where it could be harder than a diamond or softer than silk depending on the users will. It featured prominently in the cavern and Naruto had discerned its secrets to her joy and wonderment.
The garments she now wore were threaded from Onyxen, the black she and Naruto favored in their clothes was in fact made entirely of Onyxen, a fact that she appreciated. Even the prized Kunai Naruto had made had traces of the rare metal and there were a few which were made entirely of the metal. Naruto sometimes joked about how he threw away a fortune every time he was in a serious battle. Hinata knew though that Naruto had woven a Jutsu that augmented the metal and allowed him to retrieve any piece that had come from this place. He was truly a Shinobi to surpass all.
The cavern also had a large bed and Hinata had fond memories of cuddling with Naruto. That was about as far as they went. They had both realized that it was better to wait for the other stuff.
Place Hinata realized was perfect for the two of them and in a small corner of her mind, she could see it filled with the laughter of children. The part was small and she rarely indulged it.
They had been in their embrace for a long time, reconnecting after their time apart. They had achieved a Peace Amidst The Mountain. Their moments together in this place were very special and Hinata just wished that they could have more of them. With her as the Chief Medic Nin and Naruto as the Commander of Konoha's forces they found that their responsibilities kept them apart more then they would like. He slowly disengaged himself and Hinata saw him make his way to the back of the cavern. He slowly put his hand forward and in answer the very ground at his feet began to rise. It rose to just above waist height and she him reach out with his hand and take something from the top of the mound. She could not clearly see what it was but once Naruto had taken it, the mound began to recede until it was completely gone. He turned to her and there was a big smile on his face.
"What do you have there Naruto-Kun?" she asked, her curiosity getting the best of her.
"It's a secret Hinata-Chan," He answered in a sly foxy way.
She took her time looking at him and the comparisons of him in his childhood sprang up unbidden. He had grown tall, taller than the others, although he was only slightly taller than Neji and Sasuke. He was a good 1.9m, which complemented her 1.75 m, they seemed to fit each other very well. A solid muscular build that was not overly large, it was to her perfect, a balance that only he could achieve. He wore a black body suit and over it, he wore a tailored Jounin jacket that was the unique Orange he had favored as a child. On the back of the jacket, his symbol was boldly interwoven into the cloth. His blond hair had grown although he kept it from getting too long, it was longer at the sides then at the front and it reminded Hinata of the Yondaime in the pictures she had seen He still wore the same Hitaite he had worn as a child although the material had changed. He had used Onyxen to ensure that it would never need replacing and so it was the Platinum Leaf on an Obsidian cloth. The same whisker marks that were his after birth mark and his true birthright, the one thing that was his personal trademark, his bright blue eyes. Eyes that shifted with his emotions, going from a deep ocean blue to a clear sky blue. She had cared for him as a boy, had a crush on him as a teen and she had fallen in love with him he turned his warm gaze on her and only her.
She was with him, they were One, for now and forever.
He came to her and he took her hand and guided her towards the entrance and as they approached the wall disappeared and the outside world existed again. In that place, it was as if nothing else existed besides them, Hinata and Naruto. Out here, it was the Chief Medic Nin and The Commander of Konoha. Maybe one day…It would always be as they were in that place.
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He led her to the edge of the ledge. They had not spoken in words only in feelings. Today was very important. He had found it in his many explorations of this place, this home that had called to him through his blood. There were many truths hidden in this place and they were for him to unearth. Things for him had never been easy and this was just another one of them. He had been called to this place… When he was a child, he would explore the area around Konoha to escape from the harshness of the Village. He had opted to commune with nature rather than to feel the loneliness and alienation that he received from the Villagers. Each time he would go farther and farther out, even when he became a Genin and he started going on missions he would always go out on his path into the area around Konoha to relax. He had come to realize that his path was not a random a choice. Each time he would go in the same direction and the only difference was that he went farther and farther, to where he knew not, until one day, when he saw it. Rearing taller than any peak he had come across in all of his adventures. Shokazen in the old tongue. The Mountain of Fire.
It was where he had to be. Away from the Village, away from the pain, away even from Hinata… away from everything. To that place. He could vividly remember the day that he came to the foot of that Titan, and he sensed that the call came from the heart of the Mountain. When he turned his Eyes on the Mountain, he saw his answer. It was always there, just waiting, waiting for him to be ready. He had been ready and from that point on things changed…
He took her into his arms and he exerted his mastery over his primary element. WIND. They slowly lifted off the ground. Carried on the Wings of the Wind. He used a small Jutsu, which surrounded them in a warm glow and protected them from the harshness of the cold night air. They rose higher and higher and he caused them to spin slowly with their ascent allowing Hinata to get a 3600 view of everything around them. He knew that they were high enough when they broke through the clouds. Nature and Form Manipulation at a level above all others and the union of the two… Gave birth to an unrivalled power.
There was a Peace Amidst the Clouds that could only be felt in the arms of the one he loved.
He turned her around that so that her back was resting against him and she snuggled into him causing. She was completely comfortable in his arms and her unwavering trust in him reassured him that this was the time and place to map start his future.
"Hinata-Chan" he whispered. "I sense the darkness, approaching and there is disquiet in my heart"
"What troubles you my love?" she asked.
"I am unsure as to how the darkness it will affect me. Within me lies the Kyuubi, a being feared across all the lands. Who is to say that it will not get a hold of me?" he confided to her.
"You are the strongest Shinobi in the world, The Yondaime somehow knew that you were the only one suited to hold all that is the Kyuubi." She reassured.
"You among all know my truth. I would know what you would do with it?" he asked her. He awaited her answer hoping…
"I will continue to do what I have always done. I love you Naruto. We are One, you know that Naruto… do you question my love for you?" she asked him.
He squeezed her in reassurance.
"Never" he said seriously. "I merely wished to know." He paused contemplating his next words. "All that I have, all that I have achieved is as nothing compared to the love I have felt and gained from you Hinata-Chan. We are One"
His hand moved to his pocket and he found the object he had retrieved from the heart of the mountain. It was a flawless Diamond Ring on a platinum band and the inscription it had seemed to be made for him and Hinata. He brought it before her eyes and he felt the catch in her breath.
"Naruto-Kun" she said breathlessly.
"Hinata to the East the Darkness of Orochimaru approaches and Akatsuki has never forgotten about me. To the West, Konoha lies with its hope on my shoulders…All of my life I thought the acknowledgement of the Village would make me happy but I see now that all I have ever needed was the love of good woman. You know the pain of my past and you have helped me put it to rest." They both looked at the ring, which reflected the pale moonlight. "I reject the darkness and I embrace a new truth. My Way of the Ninja has guided me to your side and I wish to remain with you if you will have me. Hinata-Chan will you marry me?" He finished. He had spoken in a soft tone, wavering in some places.
"Yes Naruto-Kun, I will marry you." She answered making Naruto the happiest Ninja in the world. "I love you Naruto and together we will face all that is to come and with these eyes of mine I can see the future stretching bright and beautiful before us." Moved her head to the side and looked up at him while he looked down on her. Eyes locked the message clear in the unbroken gaze.
They had found
A Peace Amidst The Mountain and The Clouds.
They had plighted their troth
Turning away from the Darkness and the tragic Past
Focusing on the present and the future
The two greatest of all Shinobi
With a Love that was True
PEACE in a warm embrace
WE ARE ONE, TOGETHER FOREVER
The inscription said…
Next Chapter: The DAWN of WAR
AN: Special thanks to EggHead and AuroraStarPhoenix. I really appreciate your input. See ya. Any critical reviews will be addressed. Thanks