Thanks a lot for leaving so many reviews behind, makes me wanna update a lot faster.
To Guest: Of course Naruto didn't forget her confession. I stated it in the first chapter of this story. Naruto didn't know what to tell her and Hinata understood that and let him of without having to adress her confession directly. But for both of them it is clear and not unresolved so don't worry. But since I'm really nice I let him think about it in this chapter once again.
I don't own Naruto.
Gaara looked around the room and took the cup with chocolate from Hanabi's warm hands. Sitting here in the middle of the Hyuga family had not been his plan when he decided that he would personally inform the youngest daughter of the mightiest clan in Konoha of their departure. The young man had some trouble placing her. Hanabi Hyuga was confusing, very confusing. The woman had irritated him ever since the first time he met her.
…
It was over. He was back in Konoha. Naruto looked around and took a few deep breath of the air that smelled like home. Konoha was restored, Obito, Madara and Kabuto all defeated. The alliance with the five nations had been successful, and peace was progressing. There was only one black spot left, one thing that left a hole in his heart… Sasuke
He had disappeared just like that and he was nowhere to be found. After he had spent weeks tormenting Tsunade to let him look for his former best friend she had finally allowed him to leave. A whole month he had been looking for him, but no avail. Not even one clue as to where he or Orochimaru were hiding. There should be something, anything…he had looked in every hideout Karin had told him about. Whenever a young child went missing, he had been there, thinking that maybe it was the Snake Sannin's doing, but every single time it had been a wrong lead or a misunderstanding. He was left with nothing.
Being back in Konoha, Naruto had to realize that things were not the same as the used to be before the war. Sakura was at the hospital the entire time, determined to take over for Tsunade as head of the medic department. And Sai was kami knows where, rumor had it that Tsunade had talked to him about Root and he and Kakashi were now responsible for resolving that matter. However that was to be kept low profile.
Everyone seemed super occupied. But it was alright for Naruto. That way he could fulfill his promise to Hinata, he had said that they would be come close friends and after all that happened between them on the battlefield; he truly felt that maybe he would be the one to really profit from a deeper relationship with her.
And he had been hoping that after what they had been through together, it would come easy but she still was too nervous around him, fiddling with her fingers, blushing like crazy and if he wasn't cautions and accidently caught her by surprise she fainted. Naruto sighed, they had hold hands and that time she had been fine. What was the difference now?
Around him she seemed always edgy, uncomfortable like she just wanted to get away. That had been one of the reasons he never really tried to befriend her that closely, he had thought she didn't like him, who would have known it was quite the opposite?
Naruto felt heat rushing through his body when he thought about that. He still had no idea what he was supposed to do about that or what exactly that meant for him. But he did know that he didn't want Hinata to not be a part of his life. He liked her but more… It was just hard for him to comprehend that she had feelings for him, though it did make him happy. But he couldn't just pretend he loved her back. He just hoped that it would be alright for her to be friends with him.
Good news was that her nervousness lessened considerably after she got used to his presence and the stuttering and blushing decreased. It didn't disappear though and he didn't like how uneasy she looked. Why couldn't she be with him like she was with Kiba or Shino? Desperately he wanted her to stop stuttering around him, but he barely got her to talk, unless he needed comfort or words of advice, then suddenly she seemed to forget her anxiety.
Another thing he noticed about her was that her shyness kept her from expressing her emotions freely. He had never heard a real laugh from her. Sure she did laugh but she always tried to stifle it with her hands or by biting her lips. She smiled and giggled but there was always something hindering her from forgetting her surroundings.
Brightening up he made up his plan. If he could get her to laugh for real then maybe she was loosening up and then he could start operation: Stop the stutter.
But how would he do that? Naruto wondered momentarily if he needed a plan, but quickly decided to wing it when the time came; it always worked out better that way. He rubbed his hand, step one: Find Hinata Hyuga.
And where better to start than at the Hyuga complex?
Indeed he was lucky as soon as the complex came in sight he saw the girl leaving the compound, holding a picnic-basket in her hands. Naruto hesitated he didn't want her to faint because he took her by surprise again; instead he neared her noisily making sure she saw him coming. The moment he saw a flush on her face he was sure his efforts were rewarded and she would not faint.
Waving he jogged to her "Hey Hinata, I was wondering. Are you busy today? Because I thought we could spar together"
Averting her eyes to the ground Hinata stuttered out that she was terribly sorry but she promised Kurenai-sensei that she would babysit Masu-kun today.
His smile dropped for a second before he revitalized his spirits "Hey Hinata would you mind me tagging along? I don't have anything to do today and taking care of a baby sounds like fun. You know I have to practice, because I want a big family, ´ttebayo"
Hinata´s cheek redden some more, but she nodded nonetheless. Together they strolled over to Kurenai´s all while Naruto entertained her with some funny stories. His efforts being in vain, because the most he could get out of her were muffled giggles.
Well, he comforted himself at least she giggled at the right parts.
Kurenai welcomed them with a warm smile, after she got over her confusion about two people showing up instead of just one, and then of all the people in the world Hinata just had to show up with the number one prankster in Konoha. The dark haired mother left only reluctantly, hoping Hinata wouldn't faint and leave her little baby boy alone with NARUTO. Inwardly the former Sensei of Team eight shuddered. If only she had asked Shino…
"Ok" exited Naruto jumped up and down "What do we do now? I know I could teach him how to make a Rasengan!"
Hinata´s eyes widen "He i-is only one. R-right now he is learning how…how to walk and b-b-babbling in baby language."
"Oh" disappointed he looked down, better not ask her about the Sexy-no-Jutsu.
Hinata explained to him, that all they had to do was keep him happy and not let him sleep because if he slept now, Masu would wake up Kurenai in the night. Basically all they had to do was feed him and change his diapers.
"A-also we should…talk to him, be-because he is already ta-talking a bit and…and it helps him to under-understand. And if y-you want to, we can help him w-walk for a little"
That was the most she had ever talked to him when she wasn't giving him a pep-talk, and the blond couldn't help but feel proud of how she stuttered less compared to the other times. His strategy seemed to work. He nodded happily. Since Masu seemed both fed and dry, Hinata decided they could play a little.
First she let him…them play with the Legos. While Masu appeared to be content with just grasping them and clash them against each other or throwing them into the room, Naruto concentrated on building a perfect high tower.
Satisfied the seventeen year old looked at it, by now it was almost as high as him "Look Hinata"
Proudly he showed it to the girl sitting next to the baby on the floor.
"V-very good work, Na-Naruto-kun" Hinata praised suppressing her giggle at his happy antic.
This was the specific moment Masu choose to crawl over and grab for the tower. Naruto´s face fell along with his monument, while Masu sat under the rain of Legos chortling a laugh and clapping his hands together happily.
"Did you see that Hinata? He did that on purpose!" Naruto grabbed her arm and pointed accusingly at the one year old. Biting down another laugh she smiled apologetically at him.
Starting from this moment Naruto glared at the baby suspiciously, whenever Hinata had her back turned. No matter what she said the brat did do it on purpose.
"W-would you feed him, w-while I…tidy up a little bit?" shyly she held out a glass of disgusting looking mash.
Smiling to herself Hinata put the Legos back into the box; she was getting a stomachache from all the bottled-up laughter since she had meet Naruto today. But Naruto's face when he accused Masu to have destroyed his tower on purpose and how he thought she didn't know that he glowered at the toddler every time he thought she didn't look. It didn't take her long to finish putting the toys back and she hoped Naruto had no problems feeding Masu, and instead finally forgave the Lego incident. But then again there shouldn't be - that baby was such a sweet angel.
"Hinata!" Naruto´s whining voice reached her ears.
That didn't sound too good.
When she first entered the kitchen, Hinata was stunned by the picture that meet her eyes and a second later she burst out laughing, all the bottled up smiles and giggles fighting their way to the surface. But this scene was just too funny. Masu grinned at her with an innocent endearing smile completely clean and happy, while Naruto looked like he bathed in baby mash. Still holding the spoon in one hand and the glass in the other he looked at her desperately.
"It´s not my fault! Don't laugh, I´m telling you he is a little monster. In front of you he´s always a little angel but when you turn your back…He´s doing it on purpose! He spit it at me and now look…!"
Hinata couldn't response because she was busy laughing so hard that tears leaked out of her eyes. How Naruto stood there waving his arms frankly and blaming it on a one year old, it was just too much and now he actually pouted like he was the child.
"Oi, Hinata stop that, it is his fault, ´ttebayo"
By now she was on her knees because her feet refused to hold her up any longer. The trademark Dattebayo pushing her over the edge once again, it was just so endearing. As for Naruto he slowly started to realize what was happening. Hinata was laughing for real, Naruto rejoiced. He did it!
It was kind of interesting how her laughter didn't resemble the spiteful hateful laughter he was met with most of his life. Instead Hinata had a pretty laugh, not hurtful or mean just sweet and melodic. He grinned happily and joined her laughter.
"I´m s-so sorry, Naruto-kun, but…but …" Hinata wiped a tear from her eyes.
"Yeah I must look silly" he scratched the back of his head sheepishly.
After they had fed Masu-kun together, the boy, much to Naruto's dismay, had behaved like a perfect gentleman, Hinata proposed to go out for a walk.
"Are you sure we have enough stuff?" critically Naruto let his eyes wander over the package and the buggy.
Hinata sighed inwardly, they were taking way to much stuff with them. Usually all she took was the buggy and Masu's pacifier, but Naruto had simply taken all the stuff including the Lego and Hinata had been too nervous to say anything. The dark haired girl simply settled for a nod. They must look very funny, walking around packed with all that stuff.
"Gaara!" Naruto waved full of energy as he spotted his friends across the street. The Kazekage being here on his yearly visit, to ensure the good relationships between the villages.
The sand village leader turned around surprised.
"What brings you here, Gaara?" Naruto and Hinata stopped in front of the red head.
"I am visiting Konoha, according to the peace treaty. And …what are you doing?" Gaara regarded the kid in Naruto's arms analytically.
"We are babysitting for Kure…"
"NARUTO!"
"Uh, oh…" the blond gulped "Hi Sakura-chan, what's up?"
His pink haired teammate marched up to them and, boy, she did not look happy. "Can you explain to me why you're report to Tsunade-sama is still missing? You've been back for a week already"
"Is this how they usually talk?" Gaara turned to the quiet woman beside him.
"Unfortunately" Hinata said worried, before she snatched Masu out of Naruto's arm and took a few steps away from them.
"Hey Hinata, what has the dimwit done this time?" Hanabi was walking over, looking at the members of team seven interested. She had been running away from a guy desperate to ask her out, when she saw Naruto getting screamed at by Sakura and figured she might as well stick around for the inevitable slap.
"Hanabi, don't call him that!" Hinata shot her sister a disapproving look.
That was the moment Sakura's patience gave out and she punched Naruto across the street.
"Naruto-kun!" Hinata shoved Masu in Hanabi's arms - carefully of course - and ran over to where Naruto was laying groggily.
"Hey sweetie, you sure get handed over a lot today aren't you?" Hanabi cooed at the boy in her arms before she turned to the Kazekage "His name is Masu. He is the son of Hinata's Sensei"
Gaara hadn't asked and he couldn't exactly say he was interested, but took the explanation with a nod, not knowing what else to do with this information.
"I'm Hyuga Hanabi, by the way. Hinata's my older sister" Hanabi bowed "I am pleased to meet you, Kazekage-sama"
"It is a pleasure, Hyuga-san" Gaara replied.
"Hanabi-chan, please go on a date with me!" A boy with brown hair and a large white scarf called out.
"Damn, he found me!" Hanabi muttered.
She hesitated shortly, than she turned to Gaara. "Can you hold Masu for a little while?" without waiting for his answer she dumped the toddler into his arms.
Pure horror was showing in Gaara's eyes while his face seemed unmoved, as he stared down at the kid in his hands. Despite his face not betraying him it, the panic was bubbling up inside of him.
What was this girl thinking?
Just giving him a fragile little helpless bundle like that. What was he supposed to do now? He was holding the baby with his arms stretched out as far as possible. The boy however seemed rather delighted by this change of events. He laughed soundly and the saliva around his mouth was forming bubbles, Gaara almost dropped him in surprise when Masu reached out to him with his chubby little baby arms. Cold sweat was running down hidden by his sand; he was over challenged by this.
"Y-you know he isn't going t-to explode any time soon, s-so you can hold him c-closer"
When he lifted his eyes from the baby, he realized that the other Hyuga girl was standing next to the baby. She had an encouraging look on her face, opposed to Naruto who seemed to have trouble hiding his mischievous grin. Gaara shot him his best death glare; unfortunately it was less successful than it used to be. Then again it was hard to look threatening with a baby in your arms The loud pink haired one looked very worried at the kid in his hands, YEP that was about what he felt like.
"Would you be so kind and take him back!" it was more of a demand than a question.
"O-of course" Hinata took the baby gently.
"Well, Gaara, early practice only makes a master" Naruto grinned slyly.
Another death glare was sent his way.
He had been right. After that the ice was broken. Sure Hinata still blushed and stuttered around him, but after this she was much more relaxed and he had discovered that it was a piece of cake to make her laugh. Hinata was laughing about every stupid joke and every funny face he made, and the more he revealed about the Hyuga heiress the more he was captivated to find out everything. He enjoyed spending time with her, in fact whenever he had time to spare she was the first person her sought out for. They had more in common than people assumed. They gardened together in the Hyuga gardens, they cooked, went to the cinema, spared…
…
That younger Hyuga surely was irritating, Gaara decided. What he could not decide however was, if that was such a bad thing. For now it was just confusing, he had to think about this later, when he had some time at hand. Gaara forced all those thoughts down at the back of his mind and concentrated on the current conversation.
…
"You better write me at least once in a week!" squeezing her sister closely Hinata swallowed her tears. It turned out that letting her little sister leave for Suna was a lot harder than she had expected.
"Hinata please I´m two days away, not leaving forever" awkwardly Hanabi patted her sister´s back. She had already said goodbye to her father and Neji, but Hinata was quite persistent. And Hanabi was not exactly a very physical person, not at all, so hugging like this was weird for her.
With gently force Hanabi removed her elder sister from her body, dumping her to cry at Naruto's shoulder, something he did not mind at all. With a last glance she nodded to them and turned around to leave.
"Shush, Hinata calm down" softly Naruto patted her back.
It was only because Naruto was deadly aware of the presence of Hinata's father and Neji that he didn't give in to his strongest desires. No matter how badly he wanted to pull her closer and no matter how badly he wanted to smell her hair and no matter how much his hand wanted to slip lower, he would not do it. And he wanted all of this really badly, but with her father and Neji's overprotectiveness here, he must have been suicidal. Then again maybe it would be worth it…
"Thanks Naruto, I'm fine now" Hinata wrangled out of his embrace and smiled up to him.
Reluctantly he let her go, but he did not like it at all. He wanted to hold her just for a little longer. Just for some more minutes …or hours…
"Hinata, why are you crying? Did the baka do something?" Sakura was furious as she came over, she was supposed to be on her way to her shift at the hospital, but making one of her friends cry was not acceptable.
Discrete Hiashi and Neji indicated an ordered retreat. Those wimps!
"No, Sakura don't worry. It's just that Hanabi left and…" Hinata started to sob again.
Naruto shot his teammate a nasty look for making Hinata cry again! What was she thinking? But he got to hug Hinata again, so he would forgive her for now.
"Oh, well…how sad" Sakura wasn't Hanabi's biggest fan due to the incident four years ago.
…
"Hey S-Sakura have you m-met my sister yet? Hanabi this is Sakura, Sakura Hanabi" Hinata introduced her sister.
She and Sakura were currently sitting in the kitchen, having cake and coffee and waiting for Ino and Tenten to arrive. Temari was in Suna and Karin already had made plans with Lee, so their weekly hen party was tow people short.
"It's nice to meet you, Hanabi!" Sakura smiled.
Hanabi returned her smile and sat down. Hearing the ring of the doorbell, Hinata got up. Knowing her sister all too well Hinata gave her the 'please-behave-yourself' look. The second Hinata left the room, Hanabi smiled at Sakura again "Your hair is pink!"
"Huh? Yes I know that. It's natural you know!" proudly she flipped her exotic hair back.
"I hate pink" the brunette deadpanned.
Speechless Sakura stared at her, feeling range dwelling up in her body "Oh, really?"
"It is just my opinion, tough" Hanabi didn't really mean it in a bad way, but she was brutally honest and sometimes it hurt "Can I ask you something?"
A vein popped on the Medics forehead, but she nodded despite of the anger.
"Aren't you scared that you will end up all alone? I mean what kind of man would risk his sons to have pink hair? I mean now that I think about it, didn't you like that Sasuke guy back then. I don't think the two of you would have made a nice couple. With his duck butt hair and you bubblegum hair, your kids would have looked like flamingos"
…
"Hanabi! What did you do?" Hinata froze at the scene that met her when she came back.
Sakura was sitting on the table bawling and crying like there was no tomorrow. Her sister looked up with no intent of guilt in her face.
"I leave you alone with her for a minute and you already made her cry!" Hinata desperately asked.
"Well, in my defense - it was really easy" Hanabi exclaimed.
"I don't doubt that" Ino said dryly, she had entered behind Hinata.
"Hanabi, would you please apologize!"
"But…"
*Hanabi!* Hinata communicated through her eyes.
"Oh fine!" she huffed "I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings"
"I'm gonna end up all alone!" Sakura cried.
Hinata looked intensely at her sister *Hug her*
Hanabi shook her head violently. She was not a big fan of touches and hugs and physical contact. 'NO' she mouthed over 'absolutely not! I refuse! NO'
*Hanabi, go hug her now. You made this mess, so it is your responsibility!*
Clenching her teeth Hanabi gave Sakura a faint hug and some awkward pats on her back. Then she turned to her sister again, her best 'I-hate-you-for-making-me-do-that' glint in her eyes. It turned into confusion when her look fell upon Ino "So, what do we need a stripper for?"
…
It wasn't like they hated each other but after this Sakura had a hard time warming up to Hanabi. If only she was more like her older lovely sister…
Truth be told Sakura did like Hanabi but only to a certain extent. It certainly helped that after Hanabi had been done with her, she had taken down Ino. Sakura understood that was just Hanabi's way of behaving, it did get better while she was working on her diplomatic skills with Hinata.
Tell me what you think.