Before anything else, I simply must thank the amazingly talented and increasingly helpful Serious Sam, who provided the beta work for this chapter and did an amazing job. He is an incredible writer, and his story is one that everybody should read.
Thank you all so much for over three-hundred follows and over two-hundred faves! You have no idea how much it means to me. Please don't let up though! Your follows and favorites really do help! And if you have yet to fav this fic then please do so. That little fav button is getting so lonely…
I'd also like to apologize again for not having this out sooner; the 18th of September was my birthday, I was out of town and admittedly slacking off for a week or two in regards to writing. But hey! I had a good time. If you'd like to give me a belated birthday present, I would GLADLY take a review and a fav =D Oh! And I got like, super sick. That too.
Also, I would NEVER have gotten this done without the advice and support of my dear friend Jenna, who goes by the name of JMarieAllenPoe here on FanFiction. She helped quite a bit with this chapter and I never would have finished without her, so if you enjoy this update then thank her because you would have waited at least another week had she not been so kind.
So, on with the show!
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I nervously pulled my hood over my head, tucking loose tresses of hair underneath in an attempt to prevent them from becoming wet. Uzumaki Naruto seemed to do just the opposite – dressed surprisingly casual, his typically loose-fitting hoodless orange jacket and plain black shirt clung to his body like a second skin. On the topic of skin, his tan flesh glistened under the moonlight after having been exposed to what had become torrential rainfall. The small droplets that collected on his bare forearms would eventually group up and roll down, dripping off of his fingertips and becoming lost in the haze.
Despite all of my preparation, I still found myself reluctant to believe that this was truly happening. What this was and might possibly become had yet to be announced, as it seemed our plans were indefinitely thrown off course from the sudden fire that had once been a meticulously prepared dinner while I was distracted. Now here we were, closing the gap between the porch and the gate rapidly. Naruto's steps seemed reluctant as he trailed after me and I could understand why; he had been promised a warm meal and a presumably lovely evening and yet here he was, being pulled across the lawn in the rain with nothing between himself and the downpour.
"I apologize, Naruto-kun." I said upon reaching the gate. I wrapped slender fingers around the cold steel of the bars and pulled, a satisfied smile meeting my lips when the structure opened dramatically; revealing the rest of Konoha which looked like a smeared blur against the rain.
"Hello to you too." he said jokingly, using his free hand to run his own fingers through disheveled strands of blond. "If it's no trouble, do you think you could let go? My fingers are starting to go numb." Remembering suddenly that my hand was wrapped around his wrist I released it immediately. My grip had left a visible imprint, bone white against his tan skin but it disappeared quickly. "So uh… if you don't mind me asking, what are we doing? Because I thought we were eating dinner. I mean, if you're not hungry then I guess that's okay, but I'm starving."
"You can't go inside." I blurted without thought. An offended look enveloped his features and I immediately corrected myself loudly, "I meant we! We can't go inside! There was an emergency. I can't tell you."
"Why not?" he asked with a slight pout.
"Because if I told you what happened, you'd laugh at me."
He raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms, feigning an authoritative stance as a small grin began to form at the corners of his mouth.
"You know, if I really wanted to find out, I could make you tell me. With my Hokage powers and whatnot."
He was being playful. Two can play at that game.
I smiled a bit and asked, "And what do these 'powers' entail? Because unless I'm being interrogated, I'm pretty sure I don't have to answer any questions." I took the time to cross my own arms over my chest.
"Well if you know anything about interrogation, then you know that interrogation doesn't have to be interrogative. For all you know, I could be interrogating you right now."
"Oh really?" I chuckled slightly.
"No," he admitted as his smile widened, "if I was actually interrogating you then I'd be a lot closer to you than I am right now."
I now thanked the nightfall; the natural darkness could potentially be the only thing keeping him from seeing the blush that I could feel spread throughout my face.
"Oh… is that so?" I asked shakily. Damn it, not even five minutes and he already had me at a loss for words. He was good.
He guffawed almost obnoxiously at my thinly-veiled embarrassment. "I'm just messing with you, Hinata-chan. If I don't get a home cooked meal, I should at least get to pick on you a little. I apologize; I know how embarrassed you get. It won't happen again." His smile became more genuine.
"Well, you don't have to stop for good. I mean… I kind of like it."
He laughed again. "Good! I think it's fun as well. You should try it sometime. A little joke here and there to disperse the tension of this being our first official date." His eyebrows rose at the thought. "Wow, that's a fun thing to say. I am on a date with Hyuuga Hinata."
I remained silent. I knew there was absolutely no way I could open my mouth without a stutter, or squeak or something else to let him know just how much he was getting to me.
"So!" he exclaimed with a clap of his hands, "We're not eating dinner – which is fine. What's the backup plan?"
"Uhm…" The syllable left me meekly, and I found myself almost pressing my index fingers together. I pulled my arms behind me to prevent this from happening and studied the ground and the way the rain looked as it pattered mercilessly off of it.
"Wow…by the looks of things that emergency must have happened really sudden, because you don't have a backup plan, do you? Okay!" His eyes flashed with a new determined vigor. The way the moonlight reflected off of eager pools of sapphire left me absolutely breathless. "We'll make something up and play it by ear! This night can still be everything we want it to be and more."
A smile tugged at my lips at the realization that he wanted this night to be special just as much as I did. A flicker of confidence swelled in my chest as I surveyed the distance, thinking of someplace to go or something to do – anything but stand here and get soaked. I couldn't help but feel guilty as I felt the weight of the rain shift my hood slightly. Naruto beamed despite being incessantly pattered by the shower.
"Perhaps we could go out to eat?" My soft-spoken suggestion was met with a slight shake of his head which let loose a slew of stray droplets.
"It's late and I'm soaking wet. I don't think going out would work too well." He paused and scanned the landscape. "I have an idea – why don't we just walk and see where it takes us? If we stumble upon something, then our problem is solved. And if not, then who cares? I can just eat a big breakfast or something tomorrow. The most important part of tonight is us – not food."
I wanted to say something. I tried to say something, but forming words seemed to be an impossible task. Naruto - evidently aware of his effect on me - opened his mouth again in an attempt to keep the conversation flowing.
"Sorry, that sounded a little cheesy. I'm inexperienced at this, it's either sound cheesy or sound distant. Perhaps the next time we do this, or the time after, I'll figure out a good sense of balance between the two." He stopped to fiddle with the wet strands of his hair again. "But I'm not sure now's that time to think about that. Let's just go, before I make any more of a fool out of myself."
He grabbed my wrist, like I had grabbed his just moments before, and led me off. I finally regained my composure a few seconds later, but didn't protest his grip which slowly traveled down until his fingers were laced in mine. A hint of pink dusted his cheeks as he nervously tightened his grip.
"You're not doing a bad job." I told him. "I mean, given the circumstances. Our dinner was ruined, it's raining and now we're holding hands. Sure, it's sort of cheesy… but I like it."
Now he was the one who paused, the only shift in his demeanor being his ever widening grin which now seemed to be perpetual, or at least it had been since placing his hand in mine.
"I really like the way you think, Hinata-chan." He released my hand, and I stopped short of opening my mouth to complain. "So what's on your mind? We don't talk as much as I'd like, and I'd really like to change that. Starting tonight."
"The only thing I can really think about is how hard I'm trying not to mess anything up." I admitted nervously. "I know I'm being hopeful, but I really want tonight to be…"
"Special?" Naruto finished. I nodded in agreement. "I know what you mean. But if we try too hard then we might lose sight of what's important." He cast a sideways glance in my direction, one I returned as we continued walking. "So we should just relax a bit. I mean, what do we have to lose?"
"I don't know." I replied. Without warning he began tugging at his jacket, tussling with the thoroughly saturated fabric until the orange garment lay crumpled on the ground. I looked at him confused and he responded with a shrug.
"It was sticking to my shirt. I'll just pick it up on our way back. Besides, it's nice to shake things up just a little bit. Naruto's wearing a jacket, and then Naruto's not wearing a jacket. Just keeping you on your toes."
At least he was trying to do that. My previous complaint regarding each day playing out exactly like the one before had thoroughly been silenced. Naruto was a breath of fresh air, and one that I needed desperately.
"You know Naruto-kun, maybe you should take your own advice."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, I think you should relax. You really seem like you're trying to impress me."
He chuckled deeply and gave yet another mesmerizing blue-eyed stare. "I admit I am," he paused and allowed himself to take a humble bow, "but you're trying to impress me too. Come on Hinata-chan, don't lie."
"I am." I lifted my chin slightly. "But you knew I would." He offered a lopsided grin before a look of contemplation crossed his features.
"You know… maybe we shouldn't. I mean, we shouldn't look at each other as goals or aspirations. For one night – and hear me out, but for one night why don't we just look at each other as equals? Not as the Hokage and one of his kunoichi, but just as…regular people?" He ceased walking and gripped my hand once again, this time pulling me lightly until we were face-to-face. He grabbed my other hand, both of mine now resting in his, and he smiled slightly. "I mean, let's think about it. You want this to work, and I want this to work. I'm going out of my way to leave a lasting impression and you seem to be doing the same. Doesn't that say something? Because I think it does. And I think we should find out."
My response wasn't with words; I broke his grip and unzipped my jacket.
"Hinata-chan? What are you doing?" he questioned with a raise of his eyebrows, nervousness evident in his tone.
"You said we should be equals." I answered simply as I completely removed the garment. "And if we're equals, then we need to be on equal ground. If you have to be soaked, then I have to be soaked. Plain and simple."
"I thought I was the most unpredictable one here, but you're making me wonder about that, Hyuuga Hinata." His grin was unmistakable.
"Just trying to keep you on your toes. One second I'm wearing a jacket, the next second I'm not." I said, mimicking his words. The mesh shirt I was wearing underneath was thick, and covered my skin like it needed to. The majority of my arms, which were now uncovered, were the first parts of me to regret my decision to ditch the coat. I had to admit that the freedom of removing my clothes around Naruto was… exhilarating. I frowned slightly at thinking of how suggestive my top was, hugging my curves tightly and exposing a small part of my waist.
Stop being such a damn prude! I scolded myself with the part of my brain that had been influenced far too much by Temari.
The rain wasted little time, drenching me in seconds. For the first time all night a genuine laugh escaped my lips as the wide-eyed Uzumaki studied me from head to toe, his grin widening with every inch of my body that he scanned.
I felt on top of the world at the moment. "Now who needs to relax, Naruto-kun?"
"I… I think I smell vendors up the road." He said, nervously changing the subject. "Maybe we could stop for food? It's not like we'd have to sit down."
"And eat it in the rain?"
"We'll be fine; we can find somewhere to sit. Come on, Hinata-chan! I'm starving." The pleading look in his eyes shone despite the drizzle; however I was unsure if it was the food he was really pleading for. The prospect caused my heartbeat to quicken and I nodded swiftly.
He just wants food. Calm down.
"This wouldn't be necessary if you hadn't yanked me away from your house." he stated with a playful look in my direction. "Got anything you don't want me to see?"
"Perhaps." I responded casually.
He gave a small shrug. "At least you're honest about it. You know, usually I get women trying to drag me into their homes. So having a far prettier one drag me away from her house…me, the Rokudaime Hokage of all people, and still put me on my back foot, it's a nice change of pace. Maybe that's why I like you so damn much." I couldn't tell if the last line was directed at me, or if it was simply a realization that he meant to keep to himself. "You're just so… different. And amazing. And terrifying."
"Terrifying?" The word left me in a higher pitch than I had intended it too. I gave him a confused look.
"Absolutely. Not in a scary way, it's just… how do I even explain it? The idea of messing up around you scares me. You're the one person who I feel will always be there. I guess… I guess it's why I've been trying to spend so much time with you lately. It's this combination of guilt and what truly seems like legitimate feelings for you, and I really don't know what to do with them. You see? Right there. Those are things I shouldn't say to you, especially at such a random time like this, but I feel like I can say anything to you. Like everything I'm looking for has been right under my nose the entire time and I've just been too scared to go for it, because the thought of screwing something up is way worse than never knowing at all."
He opened his mouth as if to continue, but stopped when I gripped him by the neck of his shirt and pressed my lips against his cheek.
I pulled away as slowly as I possibly could, not necessarily wanting to break our closeness, but not willing to remain and face whatever would have come next. Not yet. "That was payback, Naruto-kun. I guess we're not even anymore." I couldn't help but admire my work as a slight blush leaked onto his cheeks.
I had acted out of instinct, not because it was something I necessarily needed to do, but because I truly felt that with what he was saying, he'd leave me mute for quite some time. Or I'd spontaneously combust. I wanted to register what he had just said, but it was impossible to do with my voice. I shook away whatever it was I felt and nudged him with my elbow.
"Come on," I said with a tug of his damp shirt, "let's stop at that vendor."
A warm smile played on his lips. "I think I'd like that. A lot, actually. Let's do that before I say something worse."
A silence fell between us, the only noise being the steady rain which began to sound like the rhythm of some long-winded song. Occasionally I would cast him a glance, one that he wouldn't return until I looked away.
We arrived at a vendor which remained active given the current circumstances, empty streets and weather conditions considered. Naruto - unquestionably wealthier than I - paid for a few treats and within minutes we found a bench to sit on, one that was thankfully sheltered underneath the overhanging roof of some local shop.
The silence stretched between us like a blanket of fog, but not one that was uncomfortable. My mind wandered to my previous thoughts of how even when not a word was being spoken, the time spent with Uzumaki Naruto was worth more than anything. Especially knowing what I did now.
And what did I know now? He had said it himself. He felt something. A large part of me wished he had been more specific, but after years of pining after him, that something was more than enough to lift my spirits and fill me with joy.
After a few more moments of comfort without conversation Naruto stood and outstretched a hand. I took it in my own without thought and he pulled me to my feet gently, a slight smile still apparent on his lips as he did so.
"What now?" I was the one to break the silence. "This was a dinner date, right? And we just ate. So does that mean…" I trailed off, not wanting to even insinuate that the night could be brought to a close so early.
Thankfully Naruto's words reciprocated my thoughts. "Of course not. I mean, if you're up for extending this thing then I completely agree. Unless you were hinting that you wanted to leave. In which case I can at least walk you…"
"No!" I interjected without thought. "I mean, no. It's too early."
"So that's how it is," he began with a mischievous gleam in his eyes, "you just want to spend a little more time with me. I get it."
"Whatever." I rolled my eyes and gave him a playful shove before pausing…realizing that I had just pushed the Rokudaime Hokage of Konohagakure. "Erm… sorry."
His grin broadened, features illuminated by the ambient yellow glow of the streetlamp we now stood under. "Don't worry about it. Here, I'll make us even." Unexpectedly he placed a hand on my shoulder and shoved slightly, however the sudden action caught me off guard and I tumbled, rather ungracefully, back onto the same bench we had just been sitting on. "Whoops," was all he said, scratching his head and looking down, "sorry. Sometimes I forget how strong I've become."
"Jerk." I responded sarcastically. I stood and we began moving once again, selecting a seemingly random direction and walking.
"Oh, now we're name-calling?" He was laughing now. "You… you…" He seemed to lack a proper response. "You shy Hyuuga." He threw up his hands in defeat. "There, that's all I've got. I can't think of anything to call you. I'd feel bad if I hurt your feelings. And then I'd have to hug you, and things would get awkward, and no one wants that yet."
"Don't worry, Naruto-kun. 'Hyuuga' is enough of an insult considering how the clan has been run lately."
"Has it really gotten that bad?" he asked with a curious expression. "Your complaints aren't the first I've heard in the past few days."
"It's not necessarily bad." I muttered. "It's just… my father's iron fist mentality is running the clan into the ground. I can only hope my sister gains control soon, or else I fear that the clan could split entirely."
"What do you mean?" His tone became more serious. "Do you think the problems will escalate? Because if so, then as Hokage I have to do something."
"Not soon." I reassured him quickly. I didn't like how uncomfortable he was at the news. "But if things continue then I wouldn't be surprised to hear of a rebellion."
"I'll just keep an eye on them." he stated with certainty. "If the complaints keep coming then I'll declare Hanabi head of the clan myself, just you watch." He paused and looked at me. "Unless of course, you'd like the position?"
I laughed louder than I had intended to. "No, Naruto-kun. I'm not sure that would be the best idea."
"And why is that? The last person who left a complaint regarding your clan mentioned that you would be the best person for the job. I would never try to make any decisions for you, but it seems people really have faith in you and your ability to run your clan. I'm just saying, I'd think about it if I were you."
"And just who left the complaint?" I asked with curiosity evident in my tone. He stopped and furrowed his brows in thought.
"Hyuuga Tokuma, I believe. Why? Can't be an opinion you're not used to hearing. Still, he seemed quite passionate about how you'd run the clan. Are you two old friends or something?" He bit his lip and looked at me, waiting for an answer. It was hard to think when those damn eyes were piercing into me.
"No." I said with a gulp, half thankful when he looked ahead again, allowing me to think properly. "I mean, it's not like I don't know him – we're more casual acquaintances than anything else. I've only had a few scattered conversations with him here and there. I can't tell you anything about him, other than the rumor that he has the best eyes in our entire clan. I'm not even sure how we're related."
"Well perhaps he's just a fan of your agenda. You didn't keep it a secret that you wanted to change how things are run. You probably inspired a lot of your clanmates."
"I'm not returning." I asserted firmly, my voice hardening. In my peripheral vision I could see his eyes widen at my sudden change in tone. "Hanabi has more than enough knowledge to properly run the clan, and she's a much better leader than I would be. I will always be proud to be a Hyuuga, but my involvement with the clan itself is through."
"I apologize for bringing it up." He said simply. "But look on the bright side – that time away from the clan allows you to do other things. Like date political figures." When I looked up at him again he was smiling at me and I couldn't help but giggle at his ability to change the subject.
"You have a point there, Naruto-kun. If I was running a clan, then tonight wouldn't be able to happen."
"And what is tonight?" A tinge of curiosity accompanied the question. "Besides a date, obviously."
"Well, I don't know about you, but this is the best night I've had in… a very long time." I answered honestly.
"Really?" he asked through a chuckle. "Getting rained on, mysterious emergencies that almost ruin our plans and eating vendor food on a bench is the best night you've had in a while? Geez, you really don't do much."
"I don't mean to sound cheesy…"
"We've already established that cheesy doesn't necessarily mean bad."
"…but it's all worth it to spend some time with you."
His steps ceased. I stopped and looked at him, observing the blond before me who now seemed lost in deep thought. I approached him slowly, closing the short gap between us.
"Naruto-kun?" I spoke softly once we were nearly face-to-face. I saw his eyes moisten slightly, but before I could say anything he placed one hand on my hip and the other on the nape of my neck. He leaned forward and for the briefest of moments I was certain his lips would meet mine, however at the last second he changed trajectory and pecked my cheek, instantly igniting a fire where his lips had touched. A second peck was followed by him releasing me, and I couldn't stop myself from wishing that he had just let his hands remain where they were.
"You know," he started this time without breaking our closeness, "this game of 'tag' where we kiss each other unexpectedly is much more fun than the schoolyard variation."
I gulped. "I guess that means I'm it." I said meekly.
"This raises the question once again. Where do we go from here?"
"I know a place." I said suddenly. "Unless you want to wrap tonight up…" I simpered at him and he once again shoved me in the most playful manner he could manage, this time exerting only a small amount of force and frowning as I failed to budge.
"Not at all, Hinata-chan. Can't get rid of me that easy." With permission I motioned for him to follow and we pushed on through the rain, which had yet to let up.
"I guess that makes me one lucky girl."
"Does it though?" He chuckled. "Last time I checked I was no prize."
"Don't you dare say that!" I exclaimed, as I had many times that night, without thought. I paused as I noticed the mischievous grin he now sported stretch out his lips. "Wait… you just wanted me to compliment you, didn't you?"
"Guilty. What can I say? Flattery is nice. The majority of my communication is either Shikamaru barking orders at me, or me ordering shinobi around. I just thought having a pretty woman say nice things about me would be a fun change of pace. But have it your way." Another playful gaze was all it took to convince me.
"Fine. What do you want to hear, Naruto-kun?"
"I dunno…" He gave yet another look in my direction. "Tell me how great I look."
"You're very handsome, Naruto-kun."
"Thank you. Was that really so hard? Doesn't being nice feel good?" I couldn't help but laugh. "You know for what it's worth, I can't help but feel the same way about you."
I stopped in my tracks. "You… think I'm handsome?"
"No!" he shouted suddenly. "I meant that I think you're pretty! Damn it Hinata, I was trying to be nice!"
"It's fine Naruto-kun," I reassured him, "I appreciate the sentiment."
"You aren't just pretty, Hinata-chan. You're…" He fidgeted for a bit before he blurted out, "You're gorgeous. There. That's what I meant to say."
"I'm not so sure, Naruto-kun." Despite my purposely dull tone, I couldn't help but feel like I was on cloud nine.
"What the hell are you talking about, Hinata-chan? You're one of the most stunning women I've ever laid my eyes on, and trust me I've been around a lot of girls." He paused once he caught sight of my coy grin that made itself apparent as he went on. "Wait a minute…" A scarlet shade of embarrassment coated his cheeks. "You were just fishing for compliments, weren't you?"
"Guilty. What can I say, Naruto-kun? Flattery feels nice." He pursed his lips and nodded slowly.
"Alright, you got me. I mean it though. I suppose I shouldn't say those things since this is just our first date, but I'm not really good at holding back things I want to say." He scratched at his head and blinked rainwater out of his eyes.
We rounded a corner that led to one of the main walkways of Konoha, one that would eventually take us into the forest. And after that, we would arrive at our destination.
"Where are you even bringing me?" He asked after the bout of quietness began to grow heavy.
"You'll see." Was all I told him with a small stare that he might not have even saw. "You'll recognize it, too. At least you should."
We stopped where the grass thickened, only a few steps before entering a rather dense part of the forest that, unless one was adept in traversing through it, was extremely difficult to navigate. Be it a thorn bush snagging at loose clothing, or a cluster of greenery that one could not manage to get through without the use of chakra or a kunai; it certainly wasn't the most practical route we could take. However, it was certainly the fastest. And despite my wish to spend as much time with Uzumaki Naruto as I could, I decided that time would not be well spent if we hiked through damp and muddy woods for what could turn into hours depending on what alternative path we decided to take.
"And you're suggesting we go through there?" he asked curiously. "It looks…"
"It's deep." I told him. "But I promise that it will only take a few minutes until we're on the other side."
"And what's on the other side?"
I cast a small smile in his direction before once again taking his wrist in my hand, which I noticed failed to wrap around his entirely. He followed into the foliage, his steps uneasy.
An ocean of dampened leaves made unwelcome squelching sounds beneath my feet as we trekked the familiar route, my legs taking me over each obstacle with alarming ease, as if they had taken a mind of their own. Naruto, who trailed behind at a slower pace, grumbled incessantly and yowled every time his ankle caught in shrubbery, or a thorn bush dug into the thin fabric of his shirt.
"You'd figure," he began with an awkward step over a dense clump of green, "that someone as recognized as the Hokage would be able to walk through a damn forest with no problem."
"It's not as thick as it usually is. Autumn has cleared away a lot of the hassle."
"Braggart." he grumbled and forced a laugh out of me. I couldn't help but notice how it seemed he chose the hardest ways to progress, choosing to force his way through a near-impenetrable bush rather than sidestep it like he had seen me do seconds before. "Is it usually this hard to reach your stupid secret destination?"
"No, I usually take the longer path. Unlike this route, there's actually a path."
"Then why the hell didn't we take it!?" He tore himself free of the grip of a rather clingy patch of thorns.
"Because it would take too long to get there. By the time we arrived you'd be ready to leave." I told him before making an abrupt turn. "Follow me. We're almost there."
The sound of rushing water met my ears and my lips couldn't resist forming into a smile. We began down a path so narrow that we were forced to walk single file, occasionally bobbing and weaving to avoid bare and jutting branches.
Through dripping and seemingly impassable vegetation I could see bright blue glistening, reflecting moonlight through the holes in the growth before us.
"We have to push through here." I stated, stopping to observe and overabundance of growth.
"Lovely. This better be worth it Hinata-chan, if not then…" he stopped talking when he caught sight of what was on the other side. "Is that…?"
Without answering I dipped my head and pushed forward, caught in the foliage for mere seconds before emerging on the other side in the wake of the blue grandeur that cascaded down rocks and flowed gracefully into the body of water beneath, rippling across the surface and never failing to stop before reaching the typically still edge. Naruto crashed through the leaves behind me, his breath heavy with exasperation until his eyes caught sight of the waterfall. He remained silent and slowly made his way over until he now stood beside me.
"This place is…"
"Beautiful?" I finished his sentence as I approached the pool.
"I was gonna say awesome," he paused to chuckle, "but that works too." He followed me, and out of familiarity I found and sat on a surprisingly large and flat rock that rested at the water's edge. I patted a space beside me and Naruto sat as well.
"This is where I come when I want to be alone." I told him, tracing fingers over the cold surface. Rain disrupted the usual tranquility, but failed to take away from the location's natural beauty.
"I guess we're different when it comes to that sort of thing." He failed to break his stare, eyes fixated on the display.
"What do you mean, Naruto-kun?"
He laughed. "Well, you go out of your way to be alone. I go out of my way to spend as much time with people as I can. It's just sort of funny to me."
I turned to look at him, and for the first time since leaving the wood he looked at me. "I guess we polarize in that aspect. I'd say it's due to our pasts."
He looked away. "Entirely different. You might be right, Hinata-chan."
"I found freedom in falling into the shadows… and you found yours by escaping them. I can't really blame you. After all…" I ceased, unsure whether his childhood was a topic that remained off limits.
"It kinda makes you think, doesn't it?" He averted his gaze toward me once more. "If our childhoods had been different, would we even be here right now? Would things be the same?"
"I don't know if things would be entirely the same… but I'd like to think that we'd still be here. Is that wishful thinking?" My question earned a smile in response.
"I'm very happy to be here." We both watched the water for some time before either of us spoke again. "If you don't mind my asking," he began almost cautiously, "what was it like growing up in the Hyuuga compound? I understand if you'd rather not discuss it, but I'm just curious."
"It's fine." I reassured him and placed a hand on his firm – albeit covered in dampened fabric – shoulder, an act which I previously lacked the gall to do but one that felt so right given the circumstances. My palm lingered for a moment before I pulled away reluctantly. "I was raised as an heiress to the clan, so a normal childhood was out of the picture."
"And what would you consider a normal childhood?"
The simple and innocent question hit me like a brick. "I don't know. I'm not sure if a normal childhood is even what I craved. Just a little… tenderness, for lack of a better term, from my father would have sufficed. Being raised not as his daughter but as the future leader of the clan meant that a typical parent-child relationship was doomed from the start. I know that I had to be trained, but…" I stopped and looked down. I felt fingers trace across my back, resting on my left shoulder before I continued, "…it just felt like he never really cared. And so I'd try as hard as I possibly could to please him but it seemed impossible. He would always tell me to improve, and no matter how much effort I put into everything he asked me to do, in the end he always treated me as a failure." A catch in my throat arose but I forced it down. "For years I bettered myself and grew as a shinobi around the philosophy that I had to please my father above all else, and that if he wasn't satisfied then I was useless."
"But you eventually learned that wasn't the case." It was more of a statement than a question.
"Yes. Partially because of my own wishes. I came to the realization that advancing for personal gain is more important. And partially because…" I stopped here and looked over at him, happy to see that his eyes rested on me while I spoke. "And partially because of you, Naruto-kun." I finished with certainty.
He nodded and looked away once more. I couldn't help but feel that he knew what I was getting at even before I could finish my own sentence.
"I got to meet my mother once." Now it was his turn to smile. "She was… everything I'd hoped she would be."
"What was she like?" I was hoping to coax more out of him, sitting by the waterfall and just talking to him was… amazing.
"It's hard to describe properly. She wasn't actually there, not physically anyway. But that's pretty obvious, I'm sure you knew that. But it's like she was there. She was… warm and inviting. It felt so intense that at first I thought Kurama had taken her form to try and control me." He paused for a few seconds and then chuckled. "Sorry, Kurama doesn't really like being the topic of conversation. Anyway, it was the most surreal experience of my life. I wish I had more time to talk with her, but I'm grateful for the short time we had." He looked at me. "She also had some advice regarding my love life."
I gulped. "W-What did she say?"
"She said that I should date a woman like her, and not to wind up with a 'weird one' as she put it."
"And am I anything like her?"
"I can think of a few similarities, but I'm not sure you're what she had in mind." He looked at me, a slight glimmer in his eye this time. "But she told me to eat healthy food, and I have an addiction to ramen. She told me to respect my elders and teachers, but I was such a nuisance. She told me to make lots of friends and I did, but I spent way too much time focusing on just one. The point I'm trying to make is that my mother had some solid advice, but I've never really been the guy to follow all of the rules. You'd probably be a little weird in her eyes and yet, here we are."
I remained mute for a moment, opting to hold my tongue and watch my reflection dissipate constantly. A newfound elation swelled inside of me and I couldn't help but observe the smile that my reflection now bore become shattered by the rain, only to reform again and break up shortly after.
It was he who decided to break the silence once again. "You know Hinata-chan, here we are curled up by a waterfall in the rain because we have nowhere else to go… but I do have a house. I mean, I'm the Hokage after all."
My breath caught in my throat. The offer was more than likely innocent; the most obvious reasoning being to get out of the rain, to dry off and be comfortable. And yet, knowing this my mind shifted to images, fantasies and drawn-out sequences of intimacy that the pent-up side of me had cultivated for so long. My heart began to race.
He scratched his head. "Er… if you'd rather just stay here then that's fine. But if you'd rather get out of the rain and towel off then the offer still stands."
"I think that's a great idea, Naruto-kun." I knew that I wanted this. I was so comfortable and content with the idea that tonight, after so long we would finally…
"Let's go then." He interrupted my thoughts and stood, gripping my hand without warning and helping me to my feet. "You might have to lead me out of here again, unless you want to…"
He was cut off after his first step. Unprepared for the wetness of the stone we had been sitting on, he toppled over with an odd yowl. He held my hand tighter, trying to remain upright. All this did however was pull me unceremoniously into the icy blue depths after him.
"Naruto-kun!" I squealed when my head rose above the surface. I had underestimated how deep the water was. He surfaced next to me moments later, a grin plastered on his face.
"Sorry!" He chuckled and shook his head. "Guess I just lost my footing. But hey! It's not like I could make you any more wet. Uh… that came out wrong. I meant because of the rain, you were already soaked and then we fell into the water. Yeah. That's what I meant."
I tried to tell him it was fine, but all that arose was laughter. Laughter at the situation, laughter at his wording and laughter at his awkwardness. Of all the things to do at the moment, laughing simply seemed to be the most fitting. He chimed in, and for a few seconds it was just us. Laughing in the water, feeling the gentle ripples of the waterfall lap at our skin and the raindrops that still, somewhat more merciful than before, pelted us from above.
We swam to the edge and crawled out, still stifling laughter as we did so. The untimely swim and the gentle yet firm breeze of night caused me to shiver uncontrollably, as if I wasn't chilled enough to begin with.
"As you were s-saying," I spoke through chattering teeth, "we can t-t-take the long route or the shorter one. It's up to you."
"Are you cold? That was dumb to say; of course you are, you're shivering! Let's just take the shorter route so that we can warm you up. I feel awful, I'm the Hokage and yet I can hardly navigate through a forest and a slick rock defeats me." Worry creased his brow as I instinctively clutched my arms to my chest, doing my best to ward off the cold. I nodded.
"It's fine Naruto-kun, let's just go." With a nod of his own I once again took the lead and we headed back, our journey faster than before due to Naruto having already trampled over obstacles that would normally hinder our exit.
Upon leaving the wood we quickened our pace, walking briskly as Naruto took the reins of our direction. We kept moving faster until we were running. I couldn't help but to laugh as we did so.
I said a silent prayer when we finally arrived. I followed Naruto into his home and the first thing I noticed was that he undoubtedly had a maid. Not because I saw her, but because I knew the Uzumaki well enough to know that he wouldn't pick up after himself this well. Not a trace of dust could be seen inside the modernly decorated den.
"You don't have anything to change into." He sighed and headed off into a bedroom, holding a finger up behind him, a signal for me to stay.
"I don't mean to trouble you, Naruto-kun." I said, frowning as I watched water drip from me and onto the almost blindingly white carpet. "I can run home, it would be easier on…"
"No, I'm not letting you run all the way across Konoha in the rain when you're freezing, just to make things easier on myself." I should have known he'd answer like that. He reentered the room, two clones trailing after him each carrying something. Naruto himself handed me a towel. "You can undress and towel off in here if you'd like, but the bathroom is probably more appropriate. It's down the hall and to your right."
"I can change in here. It will only take a second." Why did I just say that?
He just shrugged. A clone stepped forward and handed me a small bundle of clothes. "Those pants are unisex… I think. All I know is they're too damn tight for any man to wear. And that jacket should be enough, but if it's not then I can loan you a shirt I suppose. And uh… I'd offer you, like… a bra or something. But I don't have one here. Sorry." I jumped when the clone burst into a puff of smoke before the other tossed a blanket onto the rather large dark-colored sectional sofa. "You can use that once you've changed. Again, I'm really sorry that you're so cold. It's all my fault."
Poof.
"Thank you, Naruto-kuns."
He chuckled and turned his back. "Just change fast."
I nodded even though he couldn't see. I had to wrestle with the damp and almost painfully tight mesh undershirt that insisted on clinging to my body. Kicking off my pants, I paused to stand and revel in the moment. I wasn't necessarily proud of it, but something about standing mere feet away from Uzumaki Naruto wearing nothing but wet underwear was so… thrilling.
I hooked my thumbs into the waistband of my panties, ready to pull them down and change as quickly as possible, however I stopped when I detected movement. I looked up in time to see Naruto's head turning ever so slowly.
"Naruto-kun!"
"Sorry!" His head snapped back into the position it had been in previously. "I… okay, there's no saving myself there. That was wrong. Won't happen again."
I couldn't help but smile as I slid on the pants Naruto had given me. The elastic waistband wasn't too uncomfortable, and they fit snug in the legs. It was certainly the best I was going to get. My smile broadened when I observed the jacket he had given to me, orange and black and scarily similar to the one he had constantly worn when we were teenagers.
"Finished." I announced, zipping the top and tapping his shoulder, signaling for him to turn around.
"You should wear orange more often. The color looks nice on you." He grinned and sidestepped around me, lifting the maroon blanket from the edge of the seat and draping it around my shoulders.
"Thank you."
"Want something to drink?" He didn't wait for an answer before walking toward the kitchen, flipping a switch and shielding his eyes from the astonishingly bright light, which was surprising given the yellowish ambient glow the rest of the house had. "I don't have much. Just water and alcohol of various types."
"Do you have any wine? I don't want to get drunk or anything, just enough to relax." I was unsure if I could even become inebriated off of wine. It had been the only alcohol allowed in the Hyuuga compound, and drinking it in moderate amounts over years had allowed me to build up somewhat of a tolerance. My preference for it was simply because of taste and habit. Whiskey, on the other hand… never again.
He returned a moment later, wine bottle in hand but no glasses. I halfheartedly expected a clone to follow him carrying some, but to no avail.
"Is the bottle fine? I doubt that we'll get drunk anyway."
I nodded and took it from him, opening it and taking a sip of the sweet red nectar. I couldn't help but curl my lips into a smile. Uzumaki Naruto, wine, somewhat romantic walks in the rain, is there anything that could make the night better?
Sex.
"Do you want to stay the night?" His question was sudden. I nearly choked on my drink before looking up at him.
"What?" I croaked.
Panic settled in my chest, worry festering at my thoughts as he shrugged. What did he mean by 'stay the night?' Did he just want me to sleep over… or did he want me?
"Well I don't want to send you home in the rain. I have plenty of space, if you want to sleep over then I wouldn't mind."
I was almost disappointed by the lack of sexual subtext. What the hell had gotten into me?
"Yes." I answered with certainty, raising my chin slightly as I did so. "I'd be happy to sleep with you. Err… at your house, I mean." He smiled and cast a glance at the bottle, which didn't appear to be missing a drop after I had taken a sip out of it. I aimed to be extremely conservative with alcohol around the Hokage.
"I don't want to drink too much either." He sat a few cushions down; just close enough to properly be able to pass a bottle back and forth. My back was pressed against the soft part of the couch, where the seat curved into the back of the smaller section of seats. I made a mental note to purchase furniture like this when I became active again. "After all, Kurama bitched at me the last time I had too much."
"What's that even like?" I couldn't help but ask. Naruto outstretched his hand and I shifted the drink into his grasp. "Having something live inside you like that? I've always been curious."
"It's not too bad." He paused to take a drink. "He usually keeps to himself. We chat occasionally. I can't really explain it though; it would sort of be like explaining to someone what having arms is like. I mean… you just have arms. I just have a giant fox that lives in my subconscious."
"And he tells you what he thinks about things?"
"Sometimes."
"Has he ever told you what he thinks of me?" Another question I couldn't keep bottled up. Naruto passed the wine and furrowed his brows.
"I don't think he's ever said anything about you. I can ask him if you want, because you've made me curious."
I nodded and he sat straight up, exhaling as he closed his eyes. I couldn't help but wonder if this was necessary to talk to the Kyuubi or if he was just being dramatic. He remained silent but his expression changed. An almost embarrassed smile overtook his previously calm lips and a shade of red could now be seen on his cheeks, as if he had been told some unbearably hilarious inside joke.
"What did he say?" I was unsure if talking would interrupt his conversation with Kurama, but I didn't care. Once again, curiosity overtook. I sat up and gazed intently, asking once more, "What did he say, Naruto-kun?"
His eyes flipped open. "He… uhh… I'm paraphrasing a little, but he basically said that he thinks you're really pretty. I'd rather not quote him word for word. He says you have…" He paused and it was obvious that he was choosing his words carefully. What did that damn fox say about me? "He thinks you have a very nice figure."
"Well that's… nice of him. I've never been complimented by a bijuu before."
"I'd hardly call what he actually said a compliment, but sure – let's roll with that. He's not too bad though, not any weirder than the cast of characters who live in Konoha anyway. You learn to appreciate people for their oddities."
"I don't think the people that live here are too odd." I paused, and Naruto, who seemed to see the thoughts running through my head, laughed loudly. "Some people are a little weird though, aren't they? Sai-san comes to mind."
"He's a unique one. I don't know if he holds a candle to Bushy Brows though. That guy's pretty eccentric."
"At least Lee-san doesn't give me inappropriate nicknames."
"Sai gave you a nickname?" He sat up, almost excited. "I've got to hear this."
I took another long drink of wine. "He calls me 'Chesty' whenever he sees me.'"
Naruto's face twitched slightly. He covered his mouth with a closed hand and glanced elsewhere, stifling a chuckle to the best of his ability.
"It's not funny, Naruto-kun! It's rude." Muffled laughter could still be heard and I responded with a sigh of defeat and another drink.
"You're right, you're right." He looked directly into my eyes and scooted closer. "You know, a few years ago, you would have just let me laugh at whatever I wanted to laugh at. Now you're more… assertive."
"Is that good?" I'm not assertive. If I was, this conversation would have happened a long time ago.
"I wouldn't call it bad. I like you no matter how straightforward you are, but I can't help admire how much you've changed. Does that sound weird? All I mean is that you're ever-evolving. Yet still such an enigma." He scooted in my direction once again.
"Naruto-kun, what are you getting at?" I refused to break the gaze, and as much as I wanted to look away and blush, I didn't.
He placed a hand on my leg and his eyes softened. "Hinata-chan, can I be serious with you for a minute? I… sort of had something I wanted to say tonight and as much as I love just talking to you, I don't think I should postpone it anymore."
My breath stilled and my skin grew hypersensitive, heating under his hand despite the lack of force he was exerting. I gulped. "Go ahead, Naruto-kun."
"Hinata-chan, I… I fucked up." My eyes widened. "I know that you still care about me. I've known ever since you told me, way back then. I heard you. I heard every word you said, and the fact that I never addressed it or talked to you about it drives me nuts every single day."
"Naruto-kun…" He shushed me immediately, placing the index finger of his free hand against my lips.
"Hinata-chan I will give you all the time in the world to say anything you want to me. But please, all I ask is for you to let me finish." He retracted his finger and I oddly missed the feeling of the digit softly held over my mouth. I nodded to him and set the wine carefully on the floor, glancing swiftly to ensure that it was capped. I looked back at him, the apologetic look still prominent on his face.
"I just wanted you to know that when I never said anything, it wasn't because I didn't care about you. Or didn't care about what you did, or everything you said, or how much you had grown. I didn't say anything at first because I was scared. And I know that sounds stupid, or maybe unbelievable but it's the truth. I was still young, and I hardly knew a thing about romance. And there you were… this strong, beautiful, amazing woman who was risking her life for me, who had constantly supported me, and who was now professing her love to me as if I hadn't been oblivious. After all was said and done, I didn't know what to say. So I made a really stupid decision and didn't say anything. And the longer I remained silent, the harder approaching you got."
"And yet, despite that you still grew and became stronger and everyone started respecting you so much. You became a jōnin and the Hokage's bodyguard and you bought a house and… and things are going so well for the both of us that I just thought now might be a good time to address this. I'm not asking you to forgive me. I would never ask you to do that, because what I did was wrong. But I really like you, Hinata-chan. A lot. And I really want to make things right with you. I honestly don't know if you still love me like you did then but if you do, well… that would make me really happy."
He stopped talking and looked away, only for a moment before looking back at me, awaiting a response.
There are moments in a person's life when time truly seems to stand still. Seconds tick by like hours, as if the passage of time is weighed down by some unseen pressure. And in those moments, the mind races faster than it ever has. Mine was no exception.
I had just been told everything I had ever wanted to hear from the love of my life. He sat, inches away staring intently at me, as if my next words would decide his fate. And in a way, they would. But I wasn't mad at him. I wasn't upset, I didn't have a reason to be upset. Especially not now. All I needed to do was let him know that I still cared about him. To let him know that how I felt hadn't changed, and that it more than likely would never change. I loved him. I was so madly in love with Uzumaki Naruto that I could hardly stand it. So madly in love with Uzumaki Naruto that finding the words to reciprocate the feelings he had just shared with me seemed an impossible task.
I was momentarily brought back into reality when Naruto removed his hand from where it rested on my thigh, and I immediately missed its warmth. I tried to open my mouth to console him, to let him know how I still loved him, but I couldn't. The air grew heavy and his gaze grew even more intent, my hands began to shake and one word was prevalent in my mind, one word that shone like a beacon through the fog of romanticized chaos in my head.
Go.
In an instant my lips were pressed against his. I didn't allow myself time to think, I acted out of instinct and arousal, allowing pent-up carnal desire to overtake my hesitancy until it overtook me like a tidal wave. He leaned back, undoubtedly surprised by the suddenness of my assault. It didn't take him long, however before he returned the kiss. Without thinking I crawled into his lap, refusing to break our closeness. I pulled my face away from his for just a second, just long enough to position myself with my knees on either side of his waist. His hands cupped my face and he brought me back down, almost immediately, kissing me like I had him. I felt his mouth open slightly, before a tongue glided across my bottom lip.
I felt strong hands travel down, no longer cupping my face and instead seeking a new destination. One stopped on my hip, holding me in place as I allowed his tongue entrance. I groaned slightly when I felt the other hand brush against my thigh. He finally pulled away, kissing a trail from my jaw to the bottom of my neck. I wasn't sure how far this would go, and I didn't care. All I knew was that in this moment, I wanted this – no, I needed this. He abandoned his descent and looked up at me, the need for what was to come etched onto his features.
Without warning he stood, hands gripping the back of my thighs so that he could lift me with him. I half expected his actions to become more fierce and animalistic once he gained control of the situation, but it was the opposite. It was almost as if he wanted to tone things down. Was I too intense?
He pressed my back against the wall, still holding me up as his lips danced across my skin. My hands were everywhere, clinging to his clothing and tightening around his muscles and running through his hair, disorderedly going through whatever motions I had conceived about foreplay in my head. I felt one hand travel upwards, gentle and yet firm as he explored the curvature of my body. A small moan escaped my lips as I felt the light grazing of teeth against my neck. It was quite obvious that he had put a lot of thought into whatever moves he was going to lay on his first. Lucky me.
He finally brought his face to mine again, a small smile barely visible before his tongue traced along my upper lip. As much as I enjoyed what was happening, I couldn't help but become frustrated at how slow all of his actions were, meticulous planning going into every stroke or kiss. I groaned again and leaned my face into his, gripping the bookshelf that stood a foot or two away to stop him from toppling backwards through the table in the center of the room. My tongue fought for dominance and it seemed neither of us was willing to relent.
He released his grip, allowing me to stand as we continued. His hands acted as mine had earlier, feverishly exploring every inch of me he could reach. We pulled away from each other once more, breathing in rhythmic unison, gasping for air.
"Where's your bedroom?" I spoke for the first time in what felt like hours. The words were uttered through shallow breaths that caused my chest to heave.
"Down the hall, first door on the right. Why? You don't really want to…"
I cut him off with a small peck on the lips and gripping him by his newer, dry shirt that I hadn't even noticed he'd changed into, I pulled him down the hall and threw open the correct door. The room wasn't much, or maybe it was. Once my eyes caught sight of the large and rather comfortable looking bed, everything else was a blur.
"Are you sure you want to do this, Hinata-chan?" His voice showed concern but he refused to elaborate further. I nodded, and to punctuate my certainty I gave him one more kiss and that seemed to seal the deal.
He decided to take control once more, scooping me up like I was weightless and depositing me on the bed. I beckoned him over and he complied, grinning from ear to ear as he closed the gap between us and met me with another kiss, more forceful than the one before. I gripped the fabric at the bottom of his shirt and, apparently aware of my intentions, he lifted his arms over his head and allowed me to remove the garment. Hardened muscles rippled under his bronzed skin. He gave me little time to admire the fruits of his countless hours of training as he dove back in, even more relentless than before. It seemed that passion had finally overcome his wish to be romantic.
My hands glided over his back, feeling his tight flesh shift as he went about the motions of once again burying his face into my neck. I felt the graze of teeth once more and this time my nails dug into his back, earning me a light growl in response. His hands began at my hips and slowly traveled upwards, stopping directly under my chest as if asking for permission. Using the hand that wasn't still lightly digging into his skin, I pulled his face up by the chin and nodded. His lips met mine once more, tongues moving against each other frenetically as he kneaded my breasts.
He distanced our lips without warning and looked down; knowing that the jacket he had given me was one of the only things separating him from what was to come. I nodded intently. He clamped down on the zipper with his teeth, pulling down as slowly as he could, sending my desire into a frenzy. I knew that this had to happen. I was more than ready, my body was practically begging for this.
I saw a glimmer in his eye when he made it past my chest, the white of my bra clearly visible now. He sped up slightly, apparently growing impatient with his own speed. While this was happening his hands traversed down. My breath caught in my throat when his hand slipped past my waist, barely dodging my more intimate parts to trace patterns into my inner thigh with his fingertips. My hips arched up underneath him uncontrollably, as if my lower body had a mind of its own.
And then suddenly, he stopped. My voice stilled; I hadn't realized it until just then but I had been moaning slightly underneath the pressure of my arousal. His hand froze where it was and he removed his teeth from the zipper, raising himself on all fours and observing my stomach.
"What's this?" he asked as if I knew what he was talking about. His hand came away from my inner thigh and he rested his index finger on a small patch of discolored skin.
"It's a scar." I told him, sitting up on my elbows to look at the small mark. "From the day I confessed, when I was stabbed trying to save you. The injury was healed but the scar was there to stay."
He stared, no words escaping his lips. His eyes remained wide and his mouth gaped open slightly. It seemed he was at a loss for words. After what felt like an eternity he looked up, azure eyes yielding a multitude of emotions.
"I… I can't do this." He sat up and met my eyes. "I'm sorry Hinata-chan, but I can't do this to you. After all you've done you deserve so much more than this. I'm taking advantage of you and I'm not about to let myself do that."
"Naruto-kun, no!" I sat up, jacket still half-open. "You're not taking advantage of me, I promise! I want this. I want this more than you could possibly imagine." My voice was becoming frantic as I continued pouring my disagreement. "You don't have to beat yourself up. That scar doesn't mean anything…"
"Don't say that." I winced as his voice hardened, and regret immediately flooded his eyes. He placed one hand on my shoulder and squeezed softly. "That scar is a small physical embodiment of everything you've done for me, and how much you obviously care about me. It's… It's a reminder that you deserve to be treated better than this. You deserve better than my lame speech about being sorry, and you deserve better than for me to just have sex with you as if nothing has happened. You're beautiful, and mind-blowingly amazing, and you have no clue how hard it is for me to say this. But we need to hold off on sex. Just for now. Just until we're sure that there's truly something there. I don't want it to be some spur of the moment bullshit. It'll be special. I promise." He removed his hand from my shoulder and stroked my cheek.
I nodded. "I understand, Naruto-kun. Thank you so much for caring. You have no idea how much it means to me."
I was frustrated that my desire had been built up only for nothing to come of it, but that didn't matter because I was in love with Uzumaki Naruto. So in love with Uzumaki Naruto that if he wanted to wait, then we would wait.
I leaned forward and kissed him one more time. I stood and headed for the door, but was stopped immediately by a hand on my wrist.
"Where are you going?"
"I'm staying the night, right? Doesn't that mean I'm sleeping on the couch? After all, you just said you want to take things slowly."
"Shut up." He laughed and patted the mattress beside him. "You can sleep with me if you'd like. You don't have to. But my bed is a lot more comfortable. And I'm snuggly. So it's a win-win situation."
I stripped to my underwear, with an eagerly viewing audience, and joined him in bed. My chest swelled with elation and a wide smile refused to part ways with my lips.
"Naruto-kun?" I spoke without warning.
"Yes?"
"I know we're not going to yet, but I still really want to have sex. Does that feeling subside eventually? Because it's all I can think about right now." His immediate response was a small chuckle that echoed throughout the room.
"It goes away if you stop thinking about sex. That's the best place to start."
I turned onto my side, my back facing him as I tried to fall asleep. After a few minutes Naruto wrapped an arm around my torso and began snoring softly shortly after. I couldn't help but giggle slightly and scoot back, pressing myself against his firm chest. The last thing I felt before drifting off to sleep was the unmistakable feeling of unbridled happiness.
.
.
.
I'm not gonna lie. That was a blast to write, and it's easily my favorite chapter of this story thus far. I hope you enjoyed it! Sorry for not giving you a lemon. I didn't feel like now was the time. Don't crucify me!
IMPORTANT: The next chapter will be different than the others. It's sort of a chapter-ten special. A one-time thing that a few of you have been requesting for a while now. After that chapter, things will go back to our normal first-person Hinata ways. Don't trouble yourself guessing, you guys will see what I'm talking about soon enough. Don't even worry. I know what I'm doing. 3
Recommendation Time! Now I know what you guys are thinking. "But Hendrixson, you're selfish and haven't recommended any other stories because all you care about is yourself!"
Well, now you can stop thinking this way! From this chapter forward I will be recommending one story. Now, let me say that I will be recommending the stories that I like. No matter how small, or big (I'm looking at you My Precious People) they are. I'll just be those that I myself enjoy reading for whatever reason.
So with that being said, I'd love it if you guys went and checked out a7xfanatic1195 and his story: A Nine-Tailed Uzumaki. This story is different, and that's why I think I like it. The author improves with every chapter and it's very apparent. It's actually really cool to watch his talent grow along with his story. NaruHina will be the main pairing, so have no fear, although the romance has yet to be expanded on. This is far from a perfect fic, but what it is happens to be a well thought-out story that will undoubtedly blow up in the next few months. So please go check it out, I am sure he would appreciate it.
Aaaaaaand that's all! Until next time!
PLEASE Review!
