Disclaimer I don't own Naruto or any characters from whatever series I use.
The Dragon Container
Chapter 7: The Final Straw
Author's Note:
This has been a chapter I've had planned since the beginning those of you who are sick of Naruto being push around well that's about to change, though it won't really start until next chapter as the title suggest Naruto has finally had enough.
Also, thanks for all the reviews last chapter which is why I tried to go the extra mile to this chapter out as early as possible.
To the guest reviewer A Leaf's New Tree was a big inspiration for this story since it's one of the best neglect fics out there.
A Year Later
It was the end of the academy day and unlike most days, this was one of the rare days where Shizune couldn't do her lesson.
Since their medical class was cancelled, both decided to go to their training spot. Both children were walking through the academy gates when an all too familiar shout pierced their ears. "Hinata-Chan!"
Looking to the source, neither were surprised to see Menma running towards them waving his hand in the air. Ignoring his Onii-san completely, Menma only addressed Hinata.
"Since you don't have medical class today, why don't we hang out together just like old times?" Menma asked, hope sparkling in his eyes. Despite being clan heir, the amount of time he got to spend with Hinata-Chan was lacking and instead taken up by more training to prepare him for the role. However, this didn't discourage him because thanks to him accompanying his Tou-san to all clan related business meetings, he was able to get some much quality time with Hinata-Chan alone away from his Onii.
Naruto glared at his Otouto, a sweltering anger swelling in his heart. Sure, he always found it annoying how his Otouto always chased after Hinata, but lately he just couldn't help the anger he felt every time the boy approached.'Back off already, Hinata-Chan is mine… wait.. what?'
Confused at his own thoughts, Naruto could see his Tou-san and Jiraiya standing a ways away talking to his Imouto.
Jiraiya glanced towards Menma and Hinata with a smile on his lips. 'We do have some training planned, but if the boy makes headway with that girl then it's worth skipping just this once. Looks like my tips to the boy are finally going to come in handy.' A perverted grin made its way on his face, imaging the future inspiration his student and the Hyuga would provide.
'Oh yes, you chose well my student. That Hyuga is going to be one hell of a looker when she's older.'The perverted sage thought, eyeing the already well developed girl.
"ERO-SANNIN!"Ruptured his ear drums. With a slight shiver, he turned to his other student who was clicking her fists maliciously.
"Remember what Kaa-chan and I talked about, no perverted thoughts at all around Menma!" Akami growled, causing the man to gulp. Kushina made good use of Akami being a girl who would report all perverted actions back to her, then help dish out punishment.
The girls red hair was standing up a bit, just like her Kaa-chan's did when enraged.
Back with Menma, Hinata only rolled her eyes as she stated her usual response to the boys plea. "Sorry, but I already made plans. Sorry Menma." She told him. It was true, she did have plans, but she was far from sorry. Naruto was the only boy she could ever see and she was completely oblivious to Menma's attempts to earn her affection.
Turning, Menma glared at his Onii, knowing that his crush's said plans were with him. Naruto ended up glaring back. He used to be more tolerable to Menma, but after the last year and the fact he kept bothering his Hinata-Chan, Naruto had enough with going easy on his sibling.
"Menma, let's go!" Their Tou-san called and Menma walked over to join him.
"Got turned down again, Otouto?" Akami stated with a smile, knowing all too well of her Otouto's long held crush. She was happy and thought they would make a good pair, even though his confidence had improved, her Otouto would always be the shy little kid that followed her and their Onii-san around.
Menma glared at her, not liking the statement. "Don't worry, I'm sure you'll get your chance, just keep at it and she'll sure to say yes one day." Akami encouraged.
Menma grew a bit sad at this though. "And when will that be? I've been trying for years to get her attention, but nothing seems to work."
Akami put a hand on her Otouto's shoulder to soothe him. A smile broke on Menma's face after seeing his Onee-chan's support. "I suppose she really does live up to her name, she's like a shining light that makes a sunny place so close, yet so far, but you can still feel the warmth and kindness she generates."
Akami just laughed, unable to hold it after her Otouto's attempt at being poetic. "Man, you really have it bad for her, don't you?" Akami said between giggles.
Glaring at her, Menma declared. "Just laughed it up, someday I'll reach that sunny place and then Hinata-Chan will be my shining light."
His words only caused Akami to laugh harder, Jiraiya was scribbling down notes as she did.'Keep it up kid, this is pure gold! Girls will just eat this mushy stuff up.'
As Jiraiya wrote down on his notepad, his instincts kicked in as he finished the final word and alarm balls went off in his head. Looking at Minato, he saw an equally stunned look.
Both adults looked at each other, realising that they both had the same thought as that word brought up a certain phrase. '"Their union will bring new hope, or despair if the child loses his light, darkness awaits those who took their beloved away.'
The mention of that one word changed everything and made them both think. 'Menma is The Child of Prophecy.'
Naruto looked at his siblings and Tou-san walking along happily, a stab of jealousy and sadness enveloped his heart. But as soon as it arrived it was chased away by a warmth that enveloped his hand.
Turning, he saw Hinata giving him her lovely smile.'Man, she's beautiful.'Too engrossed in his best friend, he didn't even question his thoughts. To him, Hinata was truly the only beautiful girl there was for him.
She stayed by his side, protected and supported him. She was truly his sunny place. A sanctuary to the darkness that haunts him, that only her loving light could chase away.
Both turned to the direction of their usual training ground, their hands touched and then jumped away, almost as if a jolt went through them at the contact before they eased closer, eventually taking the other's hand with their own.
Once they got to the training ground, Naruto smiled at Hinata before closing his eyes, digging deep down. Quickly making the Ram, Snake and Tiger seals. "Bunshin no Jutsu! (Clone Jutsu)"
A poof smoke appeared, but as the seconds ticked by, instead of a clone of Naruto, hovering in the air was an ethereal dragon. Her appearance was see through and not even a tenth of her natural size, Iris looked at the boy she knew for a year now.
"Iris-Sensei!" Both children greeted with smiles, causing the small dragon to bow in acknowledgement.
"Greetings, little ones." She greeted with a smile. With the seal preventing her from leaving the boy's body, this form was the only way she could exist within the outside world at the moment and it was great to be able to leave, even if she couldn't feel the wind as she flew in the sky.
"What are we going to be doing today, Sensei?" Hinata and Naruto asked, excited for training.
"Hinata, I want you to go over to the river and practice what you've been taught while I review Naruto's Jutsu. You've made amazing progress on your own style already, but you still have a habit of slipping into original Juken (Gentle Fist)." Hinata nodded, walking over to the river as she left the dragon and her container alone.
"Hatchling, it has been a year and you have been able to pick up my style quickly thanks to your previous training in chakra. Today will determine whether or not you are worthy to truly call yourself my kin." Naruto nodded, already knowing what it meant, thinking back to when he first met the mythical beast a year ago...
Flashback
Naruto watched the dragon in awe. It was completely quiet in the mindscape for about three seconds.
"COOL! WHAT ARE YOU?! WHERE ARE WE?! WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE!?" Iris was taken aback by the sudden barrage of questions as the awe the boy felt only a moment ago vanished and the silence came to an end as the none stop questions started.
Iris recoiled slightly, unable to answer with the boy's constant chattering. Deep within her mind, a deep voice laughed out. 'Ha, he's just like Natsu!' Remnants of the fire dragon persona laughed.
The meld persona of the of other dragon's sweat dropped, knowing just how hard the fire dragon's son was and made a silent promise to keep the dragon from influencing the boy as much as possible.
The was nothing wrong with his teaching methods, but Natsu's blunt and excited personality was hard to deal with at times and there was no telling what the outcome would be if their newest hatchling were to take after him.
The thought of a hyperactive fire dragon made the other dragons shiver.'Sorry Igneel, but it would be much better off if he turned out like Wendy, Gajeel, Sting and Rough.'The many dragons all agreed.
They knew their children weren't perfect, but still, compared to the fire dragon's son, they had much more restraint and they were all silently thankful that Grandeeney was the primary person. If anyone could curb the hyperactive child, it would be her.
Coming back to reality, Iris let out a roar. "Enough!" As the boy went quiet, she quickly began answering his questions before he could start again.
"As I said, I am Iris the Rainbow dragon and this is your mindscape." Seeing the boy's confused look, she answered again. "We are inside your head." A look of understanding shown that proved that keeping it simple was best for the boy.
"But why are we here?" Before the boy could get going on more questions, she quickly answered.
"You know about the Kyuubi in your siblings, don't you?"
He nodded, remembering it was the primary reason his family favoured his siblings.
"What you don't know however, is that due to a twist of fate, I was sealed inside you." As the words sunk in, a smile grew on his lips.
"That's great! That means Tou-san and Kaa-chan will start training me too, I can't wait to tell them." His siblings got more training because of the Kyuubi, so it was only right that he would get the same treatment if he had Iris sealed in him.
"You will do no such thing!" The dragon roared with a bit of anger, scaring Naruto. She observed the child's treatment and being a collective of several adoptive parents, she was not happy one bit about how his parents treated him. She had no idea what they would do if they found out, but this boy clearly needed the guidance she was going to give and she couldn't let his so called parents stop it.
Naruto's joyful face instantly went gloomy. He thought that if his parents no longer had the excuse to train only his sibling, then everything would go back to normal. A childish dream, but even after all they did, a part of him did want his family back the way it was when he was little. An image of baby Naruto playing with his siblings as his Kaa-chan and Tou-san watched. But those days were long gone and he was coming to accept that now.
Seeing the depressed boy, Iris knew the perfect thing to cheer him up. With a smile breaking on her scaly lips, she told him. "Don't not worry hatchling, because I will train you personally into a dragon slayer!"
Naruto's eyes sparkled. The name sounded so cool and he couldn't wait to get started. But then he had a thought, remembering the definition of slayer. "Wait, why the hell do you want me to kill you?!"The shout echoed through at the room as Iris went on to explain about the art.
End of Flashback
After Iris explained to him about the world she came from, the great war between humans and dragons that led to the creation of dragon slaying arts and how even though he was being taught it, he didn't necessarily have to slay dragons.
Looking at his sensei's eyes in determination, Naruto was ready to begin. With a roar acting like a signal, Naruto charged forward at full speed. "Banīa (Vernier), Āmuzu(Arms), Āmā (Armor)!"
A green aura of chakra covered Naruto. Settling down, the aura became smaller, but still covered his entire body, leaving a slight green glow coming from the boy. His speed increased to three times its normal amount, speeding through the trees, Zigzagging and jumping out of the way of all obstacles.
In less than thirty seconds, he spotted the first target set by Iris and Hinata the other day. Changing direction, a whirlwind of wind chakra gathered around his right hand. Heading straight for the target a human shaped doll, he shouts. "Tenryū no Saiga(Sky Dragon's Crushing Fang)!"
Right before Naruto was about to collide with the doll, he slashed his hand forward. At first, nothing happened, as if he just passed it at the last second. Without stopping, he immediately went after the next target. It was only then that the doll was slashed into millions of bits by a whirlwind.
Naruto, following his nose, jumped down a nearby cliff. At the bottom was three more targets, but as he fell, a piece trip wire broke. From all directions, Kunai and Shuriken assaulted the boy. But even so, when the large number of weapons approached, he only smiled.
Shifting all his weight to one side, he turned in midair and said. "Tenryū no Kagizume (Sky Dragon's Claw)!" With a spiral of kicks from each leg, two strikes of wind ploughed down to the targets, taking the weapons with them.
As they crash down to the targets sharply of metal, wood and earth went everywhere. Landing safely out of harms reach, Naruto just kept going, leaving a crater from his last technique.
It wasn't long that he found himself surrounded by multiple targets and unlike the ones before, they all had weapons that fired at him as soon as he came into the clearing.
"Tenryū no Yokugeki(Sky Dragon's Wing Attack)!" With two whirlwinds forming on each arm, Naruto slammed them into the ground, sending all the targets and weapons aimed at him flying as a tornado appeared.
Straight ahead, he could see the last target and with only second remaining, he went for it. However, as he ran, a spike of wood shot out the ground, aimed right to his mid-section. With no time to stop, Naruto took a deep breath and the spike collided into his stomach.
The green aura of his defensive aura protected him, preventing the spike from penetrating his skin and clothes. Cheeks puffed, he roared. "Tenryū no Hōkō (Roar of the Sky Dragon)!"
Breathing a tornado from his mouth, both the target and spike in front of him, along with anything else to cross the wind of destructions path was obliterated.
Smiling at the mass destruction left in his wake, he turned to the left where Iris' projection was flying in. "Good job. 1 minute on the dot, you pass."
Looking at his sensei, Naruto gave a brief bow as she congratulated him. "As of today, I officially recognise you as a Sky Dragon Slayer."
"Yatta!"Naruto jumped up in joy. For the first time, his hard work was finally being recognised. Iris smiled, the effects of chakra on dragon slayer magic had a big boost in its effects and now Naruto could finally match even his siblings. However, this was only the beginning. Naruto still had far more to learn.
Minato and Jiraiya were sitting in the Hokage's office. "There's no doubt about it, Menma is the child of prophecy!" Jiraiya told his student.
Minato only looked at his sensei. It's been years since the prophecy came up and Minato was hoping it would never come up again.
"Can we be sure? Just saying a few words doesn't prove it." Minato reasoned. They prepared the siblings the best they could, but they still had no idea what the future would hold.
"Minato, he said the words exactly how they were in the prophecy! We need to make measures to ensure Menma doesn't go down the wrong path!" The toad sage urged.
"What do you mean by that?" Minato blue eyes looked into his sensei's serious black ones.
"You know very well. If the child of prophecy losses his love, ruin awaits him and the world will follow, darkness awaits those who take his beloved away!" Minato knew those were bits and pieces taken from the prophecy, having read it many times over the years to ensure they didn't misinterpret it.
"We have to make sure Menma doesn't lose his light to anyone!" With those words, Minato knew what his sensei was suggesting. 'Menma does like Hinata a lot, so I'm sure he would be ok with it, and him and Hinata have been friends since they were children.'
With those thoughts, Minato got the paperwork ready.
Later That Day
Hinata was in her room, it was evening now. She had just gotten back from celebrating Naruto becoming a full-fledged dragon slayer. When she first found out, she was surprised, but after seeing the leaps and bounds in her Naruto-Kun's progress, this was the best thing and just what he needed to keep pace with everyone.
Originally her Naruto-Kun was supposed to keep it secret, but the boy couldn't keep it from his best friend. Iris and the collective of dragons she was made of knew this all too well and made bets on how long and how he would tell his chosen mate about them.
Surprisingly, it was Igneel who got it right with less than a day with Naruto looking into Hinata's face and spilling the beans out of sheer guilt. The fire dragon didn't shut up for weeks about earning the right to train the boy in his art after he got his Sky Dragon Slaying to an acceptable level.
Hinata looked to the side, a sewing kit and what looked like a scarf on the side. She's been working on it for months now, intending to give it to him as congratulations for passing his test today and confessing her love, but it still wasn't finished.
'Oh, Naruto-Kun…'As her thoughts drifted to the young boy who stole her heart so many years back, a knock came from the door.
"Hinata, come to the meeting room now and put something nice on!" Her Otou-sama ordered. Getting up, Hinata asked.
"Why, who's here now Otou-sama?" But no reply came, showing her Otou-sama left already. Begrudgingly, Hinata made her way to her wardrobe, knowing that an important visitor was here.
'Please don't let it be another marriage proposal.'As she grew older, more and more people started noticing the beauty Hinata was becoming and were eager to claim the Hyuga heiress for themselves.
Choosing a plain yellow kimono and doing up her hair into two buns, she looked into the mirror. Her already developed breasts could be seen, making her blush. She would much rather wear something less revealing…'Unless Naruto-Kun likes it…'
She prayed whatever proposal her Otou-sama got this time would end up like all the rest. There was only one man she wanted to be with when she grew up.
Hinata arrived only for her Otou-sama to give her a glare. These past few years, he only seemed to get colder and colder to her no matter what she did.
"Couldn't you have put on a better kimono than that?" His voice was rough, a hint anger showing and though his face still kept the normal Hyuga like mask. It didn't stop the annoyance that showed in his eyes.
This sent alarm bells going off in her head, those words meant that her Otou-sama was actually hoping for her to catch the eye of someone.
'No, please…no… Naruto-Kun…'Her thoughts turned to worry as she slowly approached the meeting room with her Otou-sama, hoping beyond hope this was not what she thought it was.
When the door opened, she prepared for the worst, but spotting the familiar mop of blond hair of her beloved, she calmed down. This allowed her to further inspect the person waiting, seeing he was wearing the Hokage robes.
So many thoughts went through her head, but the one that stood out the most put a big smile on her face. 'If he's here, then the one I'm going to marry is…'Hope restored, Hinata quickly went to take her seat a smile on her face, the thought of being engaged to her beloved Naruto-Kun brought butterflies to her stomach.
'I don't believe it, I'm going to be engaged to Naruto-Kun! Oh thank you Kami-Sama!'She shouted with joy internally, heart racing at the thought of her greatest wish coming true.
It was only until she was almost to her seat did she notice there was another person in the room sitting on the other side to the Hokage. But what meet her vision wasn't bright blond that filled her heart with warmth and joy, but instead a dangerous crimson that turned her hope to dread.
"Hi Hinata-Chan!" Menma greeted, taking in the sight of her kimono. It wasn't the first time he saw her dressed in one, but every time took his breath away.
Blushing the same colour as his hair, he compliments his love. "Wow…y-you look beautiful." Hinata couldn't think. All the happiness that she had before thinking of her future with her Naruto-Kun vanished and was replaced by something else entirely.
She broke out in a cold sweat, her instincts telling her to flee as she asked one question. 'Why the hell is he here!?'Despite her question, she already knew there was only one reason why he would be here with his Tou-san. Her own Otou-sama made it clear.
'This can't be…'Tears started welling up. No one could see because she kept her head bowed taking her seat, not even acknowledging Menma. All she could do was pray that this meeting wasn't for what she thought it was.
Hiashi took a seat next to his musume directly facing the Hokage. "About your early proposal, we of the Hyuga clan would be honoured if my Musume and your Musuko were to wed."
Hearing those words, Hinata looked at her Otou-sama in fear, small tears ready to fall. She was about to speak up to say she didn't want to, that if she had to marry someone, then let be Naruto-Kun.
But reading his Musume thoughts, he spoke again, stopping her words in their tracks. "This works out well for the clan, especially since we have been debating on naming Hanabi clan heir."
Those words shocked Hinata. It was the first time that she heard of it, but it was the Hokage who questioned it first. "You mean Hinata isn't going to be clan heir any longer?"
The Hokage's voice was questioning, wanting to know the reason for the decision. Hiashi remained calm and answered without missing a beat. "Yes, it has been observed over recent years that Hanabi has shown more promise than her sister. However, by having Hinata step down would require her to be sealed."
With all the words said, Hinata easily understood what her Otou-sama was saying. This arrangement was for the good of the clan and second that she would be sealed if she didn't agree.
The Hokage's blue orbs filled with slight anger at those remarks. "But doesn't your clan forbid the sealing of females belonging to the main branch?" Those words brought hope to Hinata, making her think her Otou-sama was bluffing about the seal.
"Normally yes, but since Hinata was heir and directly of my blood, the elders find it prudent to have her sealed so as to prevent any conflict of succession from occurring." His voice was calm though. He, himself, was against his daughter being sealed, but the elders thought otherwise. Demanding it to happen if Hanabi were to become heir, not wanting Hinata to attempt to put an end to their traditions if she ever became clan head.
This proposal was the best solution to the problem with the added bonus of the Hyuga gaining favour of the Hokage and incorporating the chakra of both the Uzumaki and Kyuubi chakra into their bloodline. "In return for accepting, Hinata will gain immunity from the seal, giving up her title to her sister in order to marry the Uzumaki clan heir."
Minato having made a similar decision with his own Musuko understood how complicated succession was and hearing about the threat of the seal Hinata was under only strengthened his resolve. "Alright Hyuga-Sama, we accept. Hopefully the joining of our two clans will lead to a propitious future."
Menma gave the biggest smile of his life. "Isn't this great Hinata! We're going to get married!" Hinata only put a fake smile, not saying anything, not risking her Otou-sama's anger if she spoke up.
"What was that Otou-sama?! I don't want to marry Menma!"Hinata shouted with all her might at her Otou-sama.
"You are and will marry him!" Hiashi growled, scaring his musume. "Our clan has never been close to any of the previous Hokage. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and many of the villagers already agree that Menma is likely to become Hokage someday."
"In that case, why not Naruto-Kun?! He's also the son of the Hokage and would fit the role just as well!" Hinata cried, tears streaming down her face.
"The Kyuubi chakra possessed by Menma will only increase the effects of the Uzumaki and Hyuga bloodlines merging and he is also the future head of the Uzumaki clan. I doubt the elders would be as willing to let the matter of you being sealed go if you were to wed anyone else." Her Otou-sama wasn't listening, he already decided that this was for the best.
"This for the good of yourself and the clan. If you don't go through with it, you will be sealed." Hinata only looked down, tears falling freely as she became trapped by her clan.
"B-but…I love NARUTO-KUN!"She cried, the image of her first only love moving further and further away from her.
"You are forbidden from seeing him as much as you have. You are engaged and it would not do good for the clan's reputation if you were to be caught messing around with another man besides your future husband." Hiashi ordered, leaving his crying musume alone.
Hinata collapsed, tears falling, she didn't want this. She didn't want to marry someone she didn't love.
Hinata fled the compound in tears, not caring where she was going, desperate to escape.
"Hay!" Someone cried as she bumped into them. As Hinata fell, strong arms encased her, filling her with a sense of protection and warmth.
Looking up her teary eyes crossed with the blue orbs of her beloved, concern etched across his face. "Hinata-Chan, what's wrong?" Naruto asked frantically, hugging his friend closer.
Hinata only sniffled, griping Naruto's shirt tighter, burring her face into him, trying to make all the pain and sadness go away.
Anger flared in Naruto's eyes as he held on to his Hinata tighter, pulling her closer to him, making it seem that the two were almost the same person. 'When I find the person who made my Hinata-Hime cry, I'm going to…'His enraged eyes' flashed red for second before returning to normal. A gentle look swapped out the rage as he stared down at his beloved.
Now was not the time to go on the rampage and kick someone's ass. No, that came later. At the moment, his light needed him. He would chase away her sadness and worries just like she did for him so many times before.
Bringing his hand up, he begun to soothingly stroke her hair and then going all the way down the side of her back. Hinata shivered slightly at the attention, burning up as she felt the all too familiar feeling of the love she had for the boy in front of her.
Minutes went by, but to the boy and girl who were embracing, it felt so much longer. Finally, Hinata looked up at the blue orbs she fell in love with so many years ago. "Naruto-Kun…" She whispered, puffy red eyes full of fear and seeking comfort.
"Don't worry Hinata-Hime, whatever's wrong, I'll fix it and then beat up the one responsible." Naruto assured, his azure eyes sparkling with affection and resolve to protect his Hime.
"I-I'm…I'm…" She couldn't spit it out. Her mouth went dry, no sound coming out. She tired looking away, but Naruto's hand came up, turning her back to him for before it rested on her cheek, supporting her head up and offering comfort.
"I'm… being forced to marry!" She cried, her head instantly taking its place back on Naruto's chest as she cried more.
Naruto froze as the words processed. He unconsciously griped Hinata harder, hurting her a bit, but she didn't care. She needed him.
Fear rouse up in Naruto. His heart felt like it was going break in two, his own heart and breath started racing as a cold sweat started.'Hinata-Chan's getting married.'
'No, no, no! She can't get married, she just can't…'Even as he said it though, he couldn't come up with a reason why it hurt him so much. It was only when his shocked face looked at his pained friend that he realised why.
The ache he felt as she saw her cry. The memory of her smile bringing him so much warmth and comfort. 'She can't because I…'
Lifting up Hinata's head, his eyes shone in anger, determination and most importantly love. "I won't let you get married. I'll stop it, no matter what, I'll stop it!" He shouted, his words bringing so much happiness to the young girl, but she couldn't let herself bring her hopes up.
"You can't Naruto-Kun…" Hinata whispered, more tears falling. She wanted his words to be true. She didn't want to marry anyone but her Naruto-Kun, but she knew this was one battle Naruto wouldn't able to win.
"But I will! You don't want it and there's no way I'm going to lose you!" He shouted and with every word Hinata felt her hope growing, wanting him to do it. To save her like the prince she always saw him as.
"But you can't…" It was barely a whisper, but Naruto clearly heard it.
"And why not?!"He shouted, his own anger being loudly heard. Hinata struggled free, shouting with all her strength the words that tore Naruto apart.
"Because the one I'm marrying is Menma! The one's responsible are your family! I can't ask you to fight them!"Every word felt like a betrayal to Naruto. The one's taking his Hime away were his own flesh and blood.
He would have to choose between his own family or his beloved Hinata-Chan. Looking down at the sobbing mess of the girl that's been his light for so many years, there was no contest.
Bringing her into another hug, he forced her to look him in the eyes. "I don't care if it's my family! Or the whole fucking village or even the whole world!"His shout sounded throughout the night, the heat of his determination lighting a flame within her.
"For so many years, you've stayed by my side. You've never abandoned or hurt me, while everyone else did. My world became darker and darker.. yet you remained." His eyes shone, sparkling in the dark light conveying his feeling to the girl before him.
"You are my light, my joy, my very reason for living. You are my only sunny place within this dark world. And I…" The boy cried himself, realising just how important the girl before him was, just how much he needed her.
"I love you." With those words, Naruto kissed her. Warmth spread from her lips throughout her very being, chasing away all the anguish she felt moments ago, replacing it with unbridled joy and love.
The new couple stood there for eternity, reveling in their mutual love for one another. As they both pulled away, they were at peace. The tears of sadness were now tears of joy.
"I love you. I don't care if they are my family. I won't forgive anyone who tries to take my sunny place from me. I'll protect you like you always have me, I'll be your light for once." Hinata smiled brightly, filling Naruto with warmth. She was truly his sunny place as it looked like it was daytime in the middle of the night with how bright her radiance was.
Hinata was delighted. Her love confessed to her. Her beloved Naruto-Kun felt the same way about her that she did him. Her voice carrying with it her joy and love, she finally confessed her own feelings. "Naruto-Kun… I love you too. I always have and always will. I don't want to live in a world without you."
Hinata hugged Naruto for dear life. "Don't worry, you won't have to. We'll make it through this together, like we always have." As Naruto hugged her back and leaned his head on her shoulder, an image of a photo appeared in his mind.
It was a family photo of when he was three. His Tou-san held him on his shoulders, while both his Tou-san and his Kaa-chan held Menma and Akami in their respective arms. All had a smile on their faces and were a happy family that loved each other dearly and was Naruto's hope that they return to those days once more.
But tears started to appear, spreading around the image until all the family was caught by them. Then one by one, they broke apart, leaving the smiling blond boy alone.
Soon, he too faded and what replaced the photo was a new one. One with the same boy, with a smile and an arm wrapped around the back of a blue haired girl, who was blushing.
'I won't forgive them. Not anymore. I won't let them take my Hinata-Hime away from me.. no matter what. This is… this is the final straw.'
With those thoughts, Naruto took in his beloved's scent in. His ex-family will know his wrath for trying to take his light away from him. Forgiveness won't be given so easily this time. They will pay for the pain they caused both him and his love.
Author's Note:
Done. Sorry for the wait, but this week was the last of my second year at uni and I was busy meeting deadlines. I originally wanted to finish it up quickly as thanks to all the good reviews I got last chapter, but didn't happen. Oh well, luckily since I'm officially on break until I my third uni year or until I manage to find a job/internship or whatever, I should have much more writing time available.
This was a chapter I've been looking forward to, touching and sad and now all of you finally got what you wanted and Naruto's not going stand for his family's actions anymore.
The reason I showed some dragon slayer moves because I wanted to show that Naruto changed and that he was getting strong. Though it feels a bit weird since I don't if I should just use the English or Japanese names.
Hiashi does love Hinata, but clan comes first and with the elders pushing for Hinata to be removed from her heiress position, he was kind of backed into corner. That plus he feels that Menma would be a much better spouse thanks to him being clan heir and having the Kyuubi in him.
He will pay for it someday, but for now Naruto's family comes first.
Please Review:)
Naruto and Hinata Forever:)
