- Italics are used for thoughts and emphasis on words.
- Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
- 11 -
Naruto and Hinata sat hand in hand at the table of Ichiraku's, Naruto using his left hand to feed himself while Hinata used her right. Though the position of their hands were uncomfortable, they did it anyway because they loved being close to one another. They sat in the back of the restaurant and had a perfect view of the place as a whole. The restaurant was rather empty due to the fact that the lunch rush ended an hour ago. It's be a ghost town until dinner time rolled around so everyone there was relaxing, even the old man behind the counter that watched the young couple. Naruto adjusted his bandages, feeling as though they were no longer needed but decided to wait to take them off. Wouldn't be right for him to strip in the restaurant. He grabbed his chopsticks and picked up one of the steaming dumplings in front of him. "Hey Nata, try this dumpling!" Hinata opened her mouth as she allowed Naruto to feed her.
She felt her face grow hot at the embarrassing act but she tried to keep her composure. "Pork?" She asked shyly.
"Nice! Good guess!" Naruto said laughing.
Jiraiya gagged rather loudly so to disrupt the couples disgusting teen love fest. They both looked at him with forwarded eyebrows, irritated to be drawn from their own little world. Jiraiya smiled nervously, feeling the tension in their gaze. "Sorry. Something in my throat." He said nervously.
Hinata laughed to herself but Naruto smiled evilly. "Was it jealousy?" Naruto asked teasingly.
Jiraiya raised an eyebrow, knowing what Naruto doing. It was a game of chicken, who could blink first. Well if Naruto wanted to play a game of wits, who was he to deny him the challenge? "No, I just get choked up when I see a sap."
Naruto opened his mouth as he was about to retort when Ayame came up behind them and smiled. "Hey guys, how's the food?" She asked.
Hinata smiled, "delicious!" She said. "You'll make a great wife Ayame!"
"Not on my watch she won't!" Her father called from the other side of the restaurant, cleaning a mess on a table that a couple of businessmen left behind. "Not if I have anything to say about! Especially that pretty-boy boyfriend she's got!"
"Dad, come on, he's not bad. You haven't even met him yet!" Ayame responded. She looked back at Naruto and Hinata and smiled. "Don't mind him. He's just overprotective."
"I didn't know you had a boyfriend Ayame." Naruto said with a smile. "Who is he?"
"His name's Itachi." She said brightly. "He's really cute, really sweet and he talks non-stop about how much he loves his family and little brother. He's been all over the world too! He just got back from the Land of Iron and he also has some pretty awesome stories about everywhere he's been!"
"Good for you." Hinata said through her ever growing smile. "He sounds like a catch."
"Yeah he is. He's 3 years older than me. I'm 19 while he's 22. It feels a little awkward at times because I'm not used to dating someone older."
"How long have you guys been an item?" Jiraiya asked curiously.
"We met about 2 weeks ago and we made it official a few days ago." Jiraiya chuckled at the young love. Not even a week into the relationship and she was head over heels for this guy.
"Is he in college?" Hinata asked curiously.
"Yeah he's studying to take over his family's business."
"What's the business?" Naruto asked.
"The Sharingan." Ayame said happily. "It's an invention his father made that is the next level of mass production! But it's not perfected yet. He hasn't been able to complete his work and Itachi is wanting to take over when he's done."
"Really? That's so co-" Buzzzzz. Hinata was interrupted by her phone vibrating in her pocket. Hinata rustled in her pocket and got up from the table, "Sorry, I gotta take this. I'll be outside." She said, watching as both Naruto and Jiraiya nodded. She walked out from the restaurant and looked down at her phone, feeling anger grow in her hand as she stared at the name. She clicked the button and held the phone up to her ear. "I have nothing to say to you Sakura." She spat.
Sakura gasped on the other end. She'd never heard Hinata speak like that, to anyone. She must know about her and Naruto if she's talking to her like this. "I… I…" She stuttered on the phone. She was a loss for words. How do you explain getting drunk and kissing your best friend's boyfriend? "I'm so sorry…" Sakura's voice choked as she fault back the tears. "I know I can't take it back but… but…" She took a deep breath. "I'm sorry Hinata." It was obvious she was crying now. "Can I please see you?"
Hinata frowned. "I don't know if I want to see you." She said. "Ever." The other end was silent. Hinata felt tears forming in her eyes and she felt her throat grow tight as she held back a sob.
"Hinata?" Naruto came through the doors of the shop and walked up to her. "Who's on the phone?" Hinata looked at Naruto and his eyes went wide at her face. Her eyes were puffy and red like she was on the verge of tears. "Oh my God Hinata, what's wrong?"
She handed Naruto the phone and put her hands to her face. "Sa… Sakura."
Naruto closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He held the phone up to his ear and cleared his throat. "Sakura." No answer. Naruto looked over to Hinata who looked like she could burst into tears at any second. His patience was growing thin. "Sakura!" He called sternly, demanding her to respond.
"Naruto?" Sakura called weakly from the other end.
"Yeah." Naruto said. "Why are you calling Hinata?" He asked calmly. Frankly, he wasn't too keen on the idea of speaking to Sakura again but seeing Hinata like she was tied his hands.
"I wanted to apologize." She said. "I also owe you an apology too."
"Save it." Naruto said seriously. "This is something we should do in person." He looked over to Hinata that was listening to their conversation between her quiet sobs. Naruto bit his lip. He wanted this to end so that Hinata could be happy. The question is, what could he do? This was something beyond him. A fight between friends was something he'd never experienced because that would require friends to bicker with. He let out a breath and cleared his throat "Sakura." Naruto said. "Are you still there?"
"Yeah." Came a weak voice on the other end.
"Come over to my house after 9. Hinata and I will be there and we'll sit down and discuss this whole situation like adults." He said calmly.
Hinata looked at Naruto in disbelief. "Naruto…"
Naruto grabbed her hand and smiled gently. "You got my address?" Naruto asked.
"Yes." Sakura said from the other end. "I'll see you then."
Naruto hung up and handed the phone back to Hinata and smiled. "Sorry to put you into this situation Nata."
Hinata looked up at Naruto with tear stained cheeks. She shook her head and smiled at the blonde as she reached for his hands. "It's not your fault. You're just doing what you know to be right."
Naruto smiled. "Yeah." They both walked back into the restaurant, sitting back down and started enjoying their meal once again.
... 7:40pm ...
"Hinata, is your dad okay with you staying here?" Jiraiya asked concerned.
"Of course." Hinata said with an innocent smile. In reality she'd told her father she was at a friend's house and would be home around 10. She didn't like lying to her father but she didn't have a choice if she wanted to resolve this.
Jiraiya looked over to Naruto and his expression turned serious. "Condoms are in my nightstand."
Hinata eeped and covered her cherry red face. Naruto pushed Jiraiya's back and continued pushing until he was up against the front door. "Just get out." Naruto begged. His face was a light shade of pink as he opened the door.
"Alright i'm goin." He said walking outside the door. He turned back to Naruto and smiled at him. "Just promise me you won't do anything stupid."
Naruto smiled. "I'll be okay. It'll be like when you're on one of your erotic adventures and not home." He said with a wide grin.
"Research!" Jiraiya cried. "Re-" Naruto closed the door before he could finish. "I swear. That kid will be the death of me." Jiraiya made his way to his car by taking the elevator down to the parking garage. The doors slid open and he stepped off as a boy with dark hair stepped on, looking as though he was coming from a party or something. Jiraiya ignored this and made his way to the other side of the parking to find his car right where he had left it. He placed his hand on the door and took a slow deep breath. Why am I so worried about him? Its not like this is the first time I've left him alone... Maybe it's because he actually has a girl with him for once. Jiraiya smiled to himself. Maybe he actually might get some for once. My little Naruto finally becoming a man. He put the car into drive and made his way towards the hospital to pick up Tsunade. Tonight's gonna be a good night, I just know it.
Hinata paced back and forth in Naruto's kitchen, holding her hands tight to her chest. "Where is she? She's supposed to be here."
Naruto leaned against the bar at the other end of the kitchen and chuckled at Hinata's impatience. His head moved like a cat following a ball. "Calm down." He said with a smile. "It's not even 8 yet."
Hinata stopped and looked at Naruto with her worried expression still plastered on her face. "How are you still calm?" She asked rashly. "She was the one that kissed you!"
Naruto's face turned serious. He knows Hinata's only stressed but he couldn't help himself. "Nata... You have to understand that getting upset won't solve anything." Hinata kept her pacing and chose not to answer him. Naruto's tone deepened and he decided to ask the hard question. Why are you still mad at her?" He asked.
"She kissed you!" Hinata repeated herself.
"Yes but you had no problem forgiving me." Naruto said with a frown. This is escalating quickly. I better choose my words carefully.
"That's different." Hinata said, crossing her arms over her chest.
"How so?" Naruto asked seriously. He heard his voice growing harsher. He had to keep himself from growing angry, it wouldn't help if they were both outraged.
"Because you're my boyfriend!" Hinata said, trying her best to keep from shouting.
Naruto's eyes went wide and he felt himself back away some. This was the first time he'd ever seen Hinata genuinely angry. Naruto regained his composure and stared at the violet haired beauty. "And she's your friend." He said irritably.
Hinata's eyes narrowed and her attitude went cold. "Was." She said harshly.
"Why are you angry at her and not me?" Naruto repeated the question. Hinata remained silent. "Why do you feel more betrayed by her than me?"
"I DON'T KNOW!" Hinata yelled. She took a deep breath then grabbed each of her shoulders into a self-embrace and sighed. She shuddered at her outburst and leaned against the cabinet. "I don't know..." She repeated rubbing both her arms. She found a spot on the ground and began to burn a hole with her gaze.
Naruto's expression remained unchanged. All his years alone, left to watch others from the sidelines, allowed him to read people's body language. The way they carry themselves, their pitch, their appearance. All of it projected their true feelings more than words could ever say. "I think you're more hurt because you've known her longer." Hinata looked up at him, now giving him her attention.
"That's true but that's not the whole case." Hinata said firmly while maintaining eye contact. "I trust you inexplicably Naruto." She said softly.
"I know Nata." He went up to his girlfriend and embraced her tightly in a hug. Naruto wrapped his arms around Hinata's neck and sat his check on the top of her head. Hinata wrapped her arms around Naruto's waist then laid her head on his chest. "I know. But since you forgave me, can you give her a chance to explain herself?"
Hinata tightened her hands around Naruto's chest. "I'll try." She said, burying herself further into his chest. "No promises though."
Naruto sighed steadily in relief, blowing strands of her hair out of his mouth. Trying to be Devil's Advocate was never an easy role. He had to defend both his girlfriend and Sakura so they wouldn't tear each other's throats out in anger. He had to remind himself it was a necessary job though. "When she gets here we're gonna sit down and talk to each other like civilized adults." He said pulling away with a sad smile.
"In the eyes of the law we're still minors." Hinata said with a sarcastic smile. It was a genuine smile but it was obvious she was still upset.
Naruto lightly chuckled to himself upon seeing her expression. "Was this out first fight?" He asked, watching as Hinata smiled sadly.
"I believe so." She said with a sad smile. "Not as bad as I pictured." Naruto smiled back. He felt as though their relationship was stronger because of this conflict.
*Ding Dong* the doorbell rang. It felt like his heart stopped and Naruto felt the need to catch his breath, already? Naruto thought. It's not even 8 yet. She's early. Hinata frowned then turned and took a seat at the kitchen table, folding her hands on top of the table and waited for Naruto to answer the door. Naruto rolled his eyes and sighed deeply. This is gonna be a long night. Naruto opened the door and put his best fake smile on. "Hello." He said pleasantly opening the door, expecting to see Sakura but found someone different. "Sasuke?"
Sasuke stood in the same clothes he wore yesterday and that he assaulted Naruto in. He seemed nervous yet something felt off about him. He stared daggers at Naruto like he was trying to threaten him with just his look or gaze. Naruto half expected him to yell or try and attack him again but he did the thing Naruto would have never guessed in a lifetime. He smiled. "Hello Naruto, good to see you're still alive." It was an obviously fake smile but still, Sasuke was attempting to be friendly. What was he doing there?
- What does Sasuke want? Will Sakura arrive in time to meet Sasuke? Will Hinata's and Naruto's relationship be bruised after their first fight? How will Jiraiya's and Tsunade's date go? WHY DID MY CAT JUST PIMP SLAP MY DOG?! Stay tuned!
- As always, thanks for reading and I hope to see what you guys have to say about this chapter and what you wanna see.