Do I Have A Purpose Anymore?
Chapter 10: Naruto's Pain and Hinata's Resolve
Time seemed to stand still, as Naruto ever so slowly turned to face Hinata, his yellow eyes gleaming out from behind his mask. For her part, Hinata's eyes widened in recognition of him, her sword clattering to the ground with a clang. The arrival of the indigo-haired beauty sent a murmur through the ranks of the Crimson Blades, who briefly paused their tending of Sakaki's wound to look at the beautiful woman standing before them.
'Whoa...Who's the babe?' Seemed to be the prevailing thought with most of the bandits.
Daisuke was equally thunderstruck by the curvaceous beauty before him; despite the fact that she was pretty much ignoring him and everyone else present save for the blonde Jinchuuriki. Daisuke saw the pleading and loving look she was giving Naruto, but then frowned as he saw no reaction whatsoever from the rogue nin and thought to himself.
'Does he know her? Is she going to join up too? Judging by the way she's giving him those baby doll eyes, she certainly knows him.'
Then Sakaki was remembered, and with a regretful sigh, Daisuke ordered his bewitched men to get back to work, patching up the rather nasty gash Naruto had dealt the unfortunate man now unconscious from blood loss.
"Daisuke, I want some privacy!" Naruto sternly ordered.
"As you wish Naruto-sama, hurry up and move you idiots, Leader-sama won't tolerate an unnecessary death even if it's a fool like Sakaki!"
With a groan they set about moving Sakaki off into the distance, ignoring the shriek of pain from the robed man while they did so. As one man inserted a threaded needled into the bleeding wound and began to stitch it shut, threading the pointed tip in and out with slow and careful precision.
"OW! OWWWWW!"
But Hinata paid no attention to the departing gruff man, the bandits, or the wailing Sakaki, as she pulled down her own mask revealing her lovely face, which looked like that of a angel. An angel who was now seeing her first true love in a new light, a light of pure joy at seeing that he was alive and unharmed.
"Naruto-kun? Is that you?"
Hinata asked, her soft and gentle voice sending shivers through him, as he suppressed the urge to run to her, take her in his arms and hold her tight. He was forcing it down, with sheer will-power, barely rooting himself in place, as his body suppressed a shudder as well.
'What is she doing here? She can't be here! Not now!'
Were the thoughts that raced frantically through Naruto's mind, desperately trying to uphold his calm façade and demeanor, but secretly thankful for the mask that hid the anguish on his face.
Had his visage not been blocked, Hinata would have seen the uncertainty reflected in his eyes. She might have reacted to that and taken the initiative to hug him or even kiss him, as she had long ago to assuage his doubts and fears. If Hinata did that Naruto knew he might crumble and showing such emotions would ruin his plans and he could not allow that.
Meanwhile, Yugito eyed the strange woman warily. The former Cloud kunoichi instantly recognized the features of a Hyuga and her brown eyes filled with suspicion of the girl. However, before she could act or say anything, Nel chose that moment to speak, as she gazed at Hinata with curiosity.
"Huh? How do you know Naru-kun?"
At this, Hinata felt a small smile light her face at hearing confirmation that she had indeed found Naruto, but she could still feel the thick tension in the air.
"So it is you Naruto-kun!" Was Hinata's happy chirp, as she took a step forward.
Unfortunately, the response from the man she loved was not what she had been expecting, as she suddenly met the business end of Naruto's blade. Its deadly point held less than an inch from her face, causing Hinata to stiffen and tilt her head back a bit followed by a hesitant step backwards. Naruto had drawn his weapon at an inhumanly fast speed and was making it clear to Hinata that he saw her as an enemy.
"You're a long way from home, what are you doing out here Inuzuka-san?" Naruto hissed venomously, as he glared at her before adding in a spiteful tone of voice.
"Are you here to bring me back? Here to fight me, like everyone else? Maybe you thought because of our past, that I would meekly follow you back to the village or maybe into an ambush set-up by the Anbu or perhaps your loving husband!"
Upon hearing how he addressed her and the words he said, a chill went up Hinata's spine and a sense of guilt and pain rushed through her body. Naruto's mention of Kiba and the glare he leveled onto her even through his mask broke Hinata's heart. The former Hyuga heiress missed the way Naruto use to look at her. The way Naruto would speak softly to her when she was sad and when she was lonely. The way Naruto always supported and comforted her.
Hinata felt sick to her stomach in realizing her marriage to Kiba had forever changed Naruto. She'd always believed Naruto would forgive her and the old Naruto that she used to know would have. However, this new Naruto she had helped to create was different. He wasn't forgiving, he wasn't warm, comforting, and reassuring. That meant she'd lost Naruto a long time ago. That meant Naruto had been over her for three years and had been very angry and bitter towards his thoughts on her, while she never wavered in her thoughts of love for him during that same time.
A look of sadness appeared upon her face, as she stared down his blade, her soft lavender eyes gently peering into his, as if silently trying to convey how sorry she is for hurting him before finally speaking in a voice filled with guilt and sorrow.
"Naruto-kun, if you're happy away from the village, than so am I. I would never fight you or betray you by leading you into a trap."
Naruto's hand trembled a bit at the mournful tone of Hinata's voice and like his hand; his blade also trembled causing it to lower an inch, as his resolve was beginning to waver. However, an image of Hinata's wedding day flashed across his mind and his resolve quickly hardened again, and he held his Zanbaktou firm, his soulless eyes boring into her soft and caring ones, as he angrily spat with vicious sarcasm.
"Nice to know one betrayal is all you can inflict upon me Inuzuka-san. If you're not here to lead me back to Konoha like a puppy on a leash held by you. Then why are you here? Surely you didn't come just to exchange pleasantries with me."
Yugito did speak now, her tone calm, yet masking the anger and confusion beneath, as she muttered under her breath.
"You know her?"
Her fellow Jinchuuriki nodded, never taking his eyes of the Hyuga, as he spoke, venom still laced in his voice.
"Hai, I know her! At one time we once spoke of getting married, but that was before she decided to move up the social and political ladder of the Leaf village and marry the heir to one of the great clans of Konoha."
Hinata looked down to the ground in shame, while Yugito frowned upon hearing this and becoming more vocal now asked in angered curiosity.
"Why did you leave your village anyways? Is she part of the reason?"
When he spoke, the pain was clear in his voice, dark, and deep, like the night.
"Hai, she's part of it but not all of it. I was betrayed three times by people I loved and who professed to love me back, but they were all lies and what's worse is I…."
Naruto paused to regain control of his emotions and a visible effort, clenching his free hand into a fist, as he added in a shaky tone of voice
"And what's worse is I allowed each betrayal to happen like the fool I was, that's all you need to know."
Yugito stifled a gasp at this and when she looked at him, as those normally hard and arrogant eyes were now filled with sadness and loneliness. Yugito knew that look oh too well and turned her head to gaze at Hinata with hate and anger.
Meanwhile, Nel had looked up at her adoptive father and she too noticed and felt his sadness before she instinctively jumped up onto his shoulders and hugged Naruto's head to her body. Giving him a gentle squeeze, she spoke in childlike innocence soft words to only be heard by him.
"You're not alone Naru-kun, Nel is here too now."
Naruto was at a loss for words and knew not what to say. He barely even knew this child and here she was being kind to him? He was rendered speechless by her simple words and kind gesture.
Hinata felt the killing intent Yugito was leveling on her and finally noticed the statuesque Jinchuuriki and as soon as she saw the blonde, clad in her torn and ruined outfit, she thought the worst. Naruto had already found someone.
'Nani? Who's that? Is she.'
Hinata dared not think the rest. Naruto snatched away from her by this gorgeous blond? The thought was too much to bear. However, as much as Hinata wanted to drive these thoughts away, Yugito's appearance did little to help in that endeavor.
The former Cloud kunoichi's outfit was indeed in tatters. The form fitting clothing had been torn and shredded at the waist, revealing her tan stomach, exposing her curves, and accentuating the dip of her waist. The lower portion of it held, fitting snugly against her rear, but as it reached her knees, it seemed that the legs of the fabric had been torn away, by a ragged edge. The upper portion of her shirt was relatively intact, but still the fabric clung tightly to her well-endowed chest that could almost rival Hinata's ample bosom.
All in all, she looked like an Amazon, fresh out of the rain forest, a goddess on earth, and here she was with HER Naruto-kun! A tick mark appeared on her head and she released her own substantial killing intent onto Yugito, as she pictured the two of them together, in all sorts of …activities.
Yugtio seemed to realize this as well, and with a 'hmmph' of disdain, her brown eyes bored into the pale lavender of Hinata's, who put her hands on her hips, as did Yugito, the two kunoichi staring down each other with fierce intent.
Hinata could see the disdain in them, held for her, as the Jinchuuriki shot her the mother of all death glares. To which the young Hyuga girl returned her own deadly glare towards the Nibi container. Just as Yugito was about to step towards Hinata, she was cut off by a glare from Naruto, which stopped her cold the sight of his yellow black gaze rendering her speechless.
"Wait before you pass judgment. I still have questions to ask of her."
Looking back to Hinata, Naruto reached up to his mask and removed it, giving Hinata a look at the face that she loved so very much.
Naruto lowered his blade and with a flip of his wrist tossed it up into the air. A second later, he twisted his head to the right, allowing his weapon to slide into the sheathe he wore on his back, with a loud clink. Nel was eying Hinata with intense curiosity at seeing how she affected Naruto before her eyes lit up and she asked her adoptive father.
"Ith the lady with the pretty eyeth going to be a wife-chan for you Naru-kun?"
Hinata's face turned beet red just like she when she was younger, whilst Naruto guffawed in shock for the SECOND time his energetic adoptive daughter had said such a thing.
"W-wife-chan?" Hinata sputtered, as the dream she had held for such a long time of being Naruto's wife raced through her mind once again.
A small sigh of happiness escaped her, as Nel had inadvertently brought up one of Hinata's fondest wishes. Turning around, the Hyuga girl gazed lovingly at Naruto. Unfortunately, much to her distress the look he direct towards her was cold and unyielding before he saw her right hand and the lack of something that SHOULD have been there.
"Where's your ring?" His words were a murmur, but still they were heard by Hinata, whose eyes widened, as she remembered what she had done to the small gold band.
'Of course, how could he not notice that?' Hinata thought to herself before realizing this was an opportunity to make her intentions known to him, the reasons for leaving her home, to pursue him, to finally explain everything to Naruto once and for all.
Taking a step forward, then another and when he did not make any move to draw his weapon, she steadied her pace and kept striding across the muddy terrain until she was less than a foot away from him, her eyes gazing deep into his, as she looked up at him.
"I threw it away!" Hinata sternly declared without hesitation before she saw him stiffen, and knew that she had now crossed the point of no return.
Now she HAD to continue lest Yugito do something, or she falter in her resolve.
"You did what?" Was Naruto's surprised query, as Yugito eyed Hinata warily.
Hinata turned her face away from his for a moment before speaking, a light pink blush upon her cheeks as she spoke, softly at first, then with ever strengthening resolve, every word, every syllable increasing her confidence tenfold, as her tone, ever kind and loving grew firm, before she finally looked back at him, to find him patiently...listening.
"I want you, you and only you Naruto-kun. I only want to wear your wedding band not Kiba's."
Hinata sees Naruto bristle and look away at the mention of her teammate, but she calls out his name, drawing his cold gaze back to her.
"Naruto-kun listen to me! I threw it away! I threw Kiba away! I left the village to find you, because I want to be with YOU!"
Inhaling a deep breath, Hinata spoke the words she NEVER thought she would have the chance to say again at least not to his face. The words were forceful, and shouted right to his face, stunning him with their intensity.
"Damn it Naruto-kun, I LOVE YOU!"
At those last three words, Naruto's visage softened a bit and he let out a tired sigh, as he placed his right hand upon her right cheek, causing her to nuzzle her face into his open palm before he pulled his hand away and said.
"You don't get to say that to me Hinata, not after what you did three years ago, you destroyed me. Why should I even believe you? I watched you give without protest your hand in marriage to Kiba and the promise of a life with you. That was something I valued just as much as the title of Hokage. What did you think, that a bullshit declaration of love from you and that I would fall to my knees in gratitude and we could pick-up where we were three years ago? Sorry, but that ain't happening. I'm not taking you after you went through all those things with Kiba, and gave him everything I wanted!"
"It-it's not bullshit Naruto-kun, I do love you, I always have even during my marriage with and I always will love you no matter what happens." Hinata softly spoke in a choked voice, as tears began to stream down her face.
The sadness in Hinata's voice and the tears she shed tugged at Naruto's heart and he did not like the feeling, as he angrily responded.
"Even if that's true, then why Hinata why? If you've always loved me and still do, then why did you obediently agree to marry Kiba in the first place?"
"I DID IT TO SAVE MY SISTER AND KONOHAMARU!" Hinata shouted back through her tears and anguish.
"Wh-what?" Naruto said with bewilderment.
Looking up at Naruto's confused face, Hinata exhaled a heavy sigh to try and calm herself before speaking once more.
"I married Kiba to save Hanabi and Konohamaru, Naruto-kun. When my father and Kiba first approached me with the arranged marriage I vehemently refused. Even when my father threatened to have me branded with the Caged-Bird seal unless I agreed I still told them no and informed them I would marry you and only you. This angered both my father and Kiba greatly. My father because Kiba had paid him a great deal of money for my hand in marriage and Kiba because he wanted me so badly. They then informed me that if I didn't go through with the arranged marriage to Kiba, then Hanabi would be required to take my place and she would be branded with the Caged-Bird seal so Kiba could control her."
Naruto literally fell on his ass onto the ground in shock at hearing what Hinata had said before she continued on.
"If you remember Naruto-kun, Hanabi and Konohamaru had fallen in love with one another at that time and promised to marry when they reached legal age. I, I couldn't let my father and Kiba destroy their happiness. So I relented and agreed to the arranged marriage even though I knew that in saving Hanabi's happiness, I would be destroying my own."
"Why Hinata, why didn't you tell me about this? I could have helped, we could have done something!" Naruto asked in a hurt and angry voice.
"What could we have done Naruto-kun? If Lady Tsunade couldn't help me, then there's nothing you could have done. I couldn't tell you the truth back then because my father and Kiba said if I did then they would follow through on the arranged marriage with Hanabi. They also said if you found out the truth they would make sure to hurt you. I would rather die than ever see you hurt, so I agreed to the marriage to save them."
"We could have runaway together like I wanted." Naruto offered up in response.
"And leave behind my sister married to Kiba and branded, as well as Konohamaru heart-broken and alone. I know you love little-Kono like a brother, so tell me Naruto-kun could you have really done that to him?"
Naruto still felt and remembered the pain when he lost Hinata three years ago and though he loathe to admit it, he wouldn't wish that kind of pain on an enemy let alone someone he cared about. However, before he could contemplate further on everything, he heard Hinata comment.
"Hanabi and Konohamaru were married two weeks ago. It was a wonderful wedding and they both are very happy. They said only thing that kept the wedding from being perfect was that you weren't there to attend it Naruto-kun."
Naruto merely sat on the ground silent and unmoving with a stern yet reflective visage he bore upon his face. After a few minutes, Hinata could no longer take the silence and said.
"Please Naruto-kun, say something to me. Please tell me you understand why I did what I had to do to save Hanabi and Konohamaru."
Exhaling a mournful sigh, Naruto finally looked up and stated.
"I understand Hinata, but you still should have trusted me and told me what Kiba and your father were doing three years ago."
"It wasn't a matter of trusting you; I would trust you with my life Naruto-kun. It was a matter of I didn't want to see you hurt by my father or Kiba, don't you understand?"
"I understand Hinata, but you don't understand. By not telling me what was going on and then watching you get married hurt worse than any physical pain your father or Kiba could have ever inflicted upon me. You were my angel, the one who saved me and showed me what real love was like after my foolish time with Sakura. Losing you nearly destroyed my heart Hinata and what was left of it, Ino finally killed a year later."
"I- I'm sorry, I know I hurt you terribly, but I thought I was doing the only thing I could to save the people I love from being hurt. I never stopped loving you Naruto-kun. Even during my marriage my thoughts were unfaithful, because I only wanted you. If you no longer love me or even hate me because of what I did I understand, but I will always love you Naruto-kun and that will never change."
A pall of silence seemed to envelop Naruto and Hinata like a shroud. After a few minutes Naruto finally exclaimed in frustration.
"I don't know what you want me to say Hinata? I don't hate you, I could never hate you, but I don't know if I still love you? I don't know what love is anymore? I once thought I did, but after Sakura, you, and Ino I came to realize I never knew. After that, I decided emotions like love only caused me great pain. So for the last two years I've made it a point to shut down foolish emotions like trust, happiness, and love. You say you still love me, but I'm not the same man I was three years ago. So how can you still love me? You're just clinging onto the fantasy of what I was not what I am. And what I am now is someone who doubts he can ever love anyone again. You should just go back home Hinata and forget you ever found me."
"You're wrong Naruto-kun, I know the man I've always loved is still inside of you, but I won't try and make you love me. I don't have a home to go back to anymore, but I won't stay if all I cause you is pain now."
Hinata then wiped some tears out of her eyes before walking over to retrieve her mask, sword and supplies, as Naruto watched her with concern and doubt. It was then the Kyuubi no Youko decided to speak his mind on the matter.
"So what are you going to do kid, just let her leave?"
'Shut up fox, it's for the best.'
"For the best you say, well let me refresh your memory of what your former vixen has done. She's deserted her home, family, and husband just to find you. Which means she's now a fugitive who will have not only her two clans after her, but also Hunter-nin's from your village trying to track her down? By her leaving because she doesn't want to hurt you, she will be all alone attempting to avoid all of those mortals trying to find her. Or better still were not that far from Kumogakure, maybe they will capture the vixen and turn her into a breeding machine so they can gain her bloodline trait like they've always wanted."
'What should I do?' Naruto thought with confusion, as the fox-demon had given him pause to think about what he had said.
The Kyuubi no Youko thought his vessels musings were amusing, but it soon turned boring and was growing quite irritating to the demon-fox. So he took it upon himself to flash several images throughout Naruto's mind. One image was of Hinata being tried by the Konoha Council for treason. Another was an image of Hinata beaten and in chains and being dragged back before her father and Kiba. And finally an image of a naked Hinata strapped to a table in Kumogakure with a line of several Kumo shinobi moving towards her. This final image caused some red chakra to flare off of his body startling everyone as he growled out in fury.
"KYUUBI!"
"Oh shut-up and just take the vixen with you and be done with it, you aren't going to leave her alone with all of those dangers out there and you know it."Kyuubi grumbled in annoyance.
"Hinata stop, it's too dangerous for you to be out here on your own alone. I'm making you no promises about what will happen between you and me, but if you want you're welcome to accompany us." Naruto called out.
Hinata's response was instantaneous and before Naruto could blink he was suddenly enveloped in a fierce hug. After a moment, Hinata realized what she had done and released him almost as quickly as she had grabbed him and stammered.
"I-I'm sorry Naruto-kun, I shouldn't have done that, but I would very much like to accompany you."
"It-it's alright Hinata, but you do remember what I said about no promises." Naruto replied, a bit taken aback by Hinata's hug.
"Hai, I understand, but just so you know, I believe you still have the capacity to love and be loved. You just need to find it in yourself to let love back into your life. And if you will let me, I would like to be the one to help you find that love Naruto-kun?"
So enthusiastic was her reply, that when he looked back down at her, for the first time in many a year, he smiled. And it made Hinata's heart skip a beat, as he hadn't smiled in over two years and that one brief grin filled Hinata with hope that all was not lost with her Naruto-kun.
"YATTA, I have another wife-chan to play with!" Nel exclaimed with excitement, as she clapped her hands gleefully before running up to Hinata and jumping into the Hyuga woman's arms for a hug.
Whilst this took place, Yugito gave Naruto a sidelong look and asked in a bitter tone of voice.
"You SURE this is a good idea?"
"I don't know, but she's coming with us, end of discussion!" Naruto hissed through his teeth, his blue eyes locking onto her brown.
"Whatever!" Yugito derisively snorted, as she looked away, clearly not pleased at the addition of Hinata into their group.
Ignoring Yugito's attitude for the moment, Naruto called Daisuke back over and asked.
"So, care to follow me on this little errand of mine, before you take me to see your boss?"
Daisuke rolled his massive shoulders in response, as he saw the look in the eyes of his potential comrade, the look of adventure.
"Sure, I could use a little fresh air and it's better than listening to Sakaki bitch about what you did to him."
Looking to the now fully treated Sakaki, Daisuke waved his large hand in farewell and laughed when he saw the angry look on Sakaki's face before saying
"Don't wait up. I'll see you back at base."
Then he turned to follow Naruto and the others.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
(Elsewhere: Undisclosed Location)
"I seek an audience with your master." Sasuke said to the servant who had opened the door to him.
"Be gone, Master Byakuya left strict orders not to be disturbed."
"Tell your master it is Sasuke Uchiha of the Uchiha clan from the Land of Fire. And I invoke the blood pact the Kuchiki clan and the Uchiha clan made years ago with one another to seek his audience."
The servant shut the door and Sasuke patiently waited. A couple of minutes later, the servant returned and Sasuke was ushered into the castle and led to a great hall and told to wait. Moments later, a man with long onyx-colored hair and wearing intricate white headpieces called kenseikan that symbolized his nobility as the head of the Kuchiki family, one on top of his head and another on the right side entered the room. Sasuke noted that the man bore an appearance and demeanor which reminded him of his older brother who addressed him in a stoic voice.
"So, Sasuke Uchiha of the Land of Fire, for what reason do you seek an audience with me?"
"Thank you for seeing me Lord Byakuya. The reason I've sought an audience with you is that I need a sword that can kill a demon and I've been told the Kuchiki clan can provide me with such a weapon."
"Indeed, a most unusual request. Come with me Sasuke Uchiha, we have much to discuss."
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Author Note: Nope, no filler chapter this time around for my loyal readers. A tough chapter to revise as it required a lot of additions and rewrite from the original, but I do hope all of you enjoyed the chapter. It was difficult to write the Naruto/Hinata reunion and what transpired from it. So don't hold it against me if I was too harsh with the lavender-eyed princess. I just couldn't see this as one of those "instant forgiveness" stories we come across so much on this site. Anyway, I'm very curious to see what everyone thought about the chapter. Thanks again to everyone for all of your support and your reviews; it's much appreciated by me. Now onto the news and something I could really use your help on.
News:
A couple of my readers and fine authors themselves brown phantom and Zentary have set up polls on each of their accounts asking the question.
Who is the best Naruto fanfic writer on this site?
They have each listed 50 authors and you're allowed to vote for 10 choices on each poll. Both authors have graciously placed my name on both polls. I humbly ask if you feel I'm worthy of being one of your 10 picks to please place a vote for me. If you haven't voted yet on these polls please do so. I thank you in advance for your support and the links to the profile pages for both brown phantom and Zentary are listed below.
brown phantom http:/www(dot)fanfiction(dot)net/u/1634435/
Zentary http:/www(dot)fanfiction(dot)net/u/2022054/
End of News:
Take it easy and be good!
Kingkakashi