-SUPER IMPORTANT UPDATE- MANGA ADAPTATION!
My good friend Moki-Yoki is now making a Manga adapatation of Curse of a Hanyou, Love of an Angel! That's right! You can now read this story as a Manga!
She will post the releases on her DeviantArt account as they are made, the link to her gallery is provided in my profile.
Everyone visit her to see Curse of a Hanyou, Love of an Angel as a Manga! Subscribe to her Gallery to receive updates on her releases!
Hmm... another three week before chapter release but eh I did say 2-3 weeks. ;P
Anyway, I was going to the particulare events of this chapter till later, but my sister begged me otherwise... and I gave in...
Regardless I do hope you enjoy this chapter release of Curse of a Hanyou, Love of an Angel.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of its affiliated products. I do however own any original plotline and characters of this fanfiction.
Chapter 24 – A Blossoming Love
Three shadowy figures dashed through the covered underbush of Konoha's largest forest, each of them carefully scanning their surroundings for trouble as they focused on following their target.
The figure on the right spared a quick glance at the two beside her, directing with her blazing white eyes to the location of their target. Nodding in confirmation the three split apart, hoping to catch the target by it's flanks as well as from the front. A simple, yet effective ambush considering their individual abilities.
The figure in the centre, stayed on the path he was following as the other two split from him. Four long furry tails trailing him as he burst forward, pumping large amounts of chakra to his legs as his sensei had directed, increasing his speed exponentially. To anyone but an Uchiha he would have appeared as shadowy blur, his eyes long since unable to keep up with the speeds leaving him to rely on his superior sense of smell and his acute hearing to direct him. While any tree branches posing as obstacles were quickly sliced apart by his razor sharp claws.
He had to get to the target first, the plan they had been taught by their sensei relied on him pushing the target away from its current position. While his two teammates captured him/her.
The third figure, the one on the right, had taken off to his designated location while his teammates took care of directing their target to him. Quickly arming the traps, he laced each one with a sticky substance produced by his beetle companions. The super adhesive substance was easily tracked by those who were training to detect its subtle smell. While its goal wasn't to help capture the target, that was the trap's job, it was more meant to coat the target so that they could track him/her down again easier if he/she got away.
Having completed his assignment in the mission, he hid himself behind a small Genjutsu his sensei had taught him, which blended him into the colours of the surrounding forest to allow him to fool their target. Allowing for an easier capture if the target evaded the first traps he set.
The only female of the three continued to route around the target, watching carefully his/her location with her all-seeing eyes. Hers and her foxy teammate's task was to manuvour the target to their third teammate and if the opportunity arose she was to use her Gentle Fist to quickly disable them.
Her powerful eyes saw their target suddenly dart to the left, heading down a path that would mess with their plan. Reacting quickly she cracked open a small vial and let its liquid contents settle in her hands as she continued to shadow the target.
Within seconds her foxy teammate appeared by her side and followed her holding his nose closed with one hand. The vial she had cracked open contained a very powerful smelling substance, one that her teammate could easily detect with his sensitive nose and follow it to her location.
"Target has strayed from the aligned path, I need you to set it back on the right one." She commanded in a hushed tone, her usual stutter vanished from the levels of adrenaline pumping through her veils.
Her foxy teammate nodded slowly before taking of in a surprising burst of speed, attempting to pull on his dark chakra to unleash a barrage of illusions to distract their unsuspecting target. He had begun meddling with his illusions recently, forming some that resembled horrors from the darkest of nightmares. These ideas of morbid illusions came to him when his sensei was explaining how she was able to invoke such fear in her enemies by her Genjutsu, that they would be so petrified they could barely lift a finger to guard from her attacks.
And it was these nightmarish illusions that he was going to utilize to 'distract' the target. And determined to end this mission as soon as possible, he speed off so quickly he didn't even catch the blush that had covered his teammate's face when his tails brushed against her.
The last of the three didn't flinch a muscle as he heard all many of wailing screams and horror filled cries pour from the trees around him. He had had a feeling that his teammates might need to 'realign' their target and that they might have to resort to some of his hanyou teammate's more… vivid illusions and tricks.
He himself had bore witness to a few of them, and unlike most Genjutsu which he could easily break, illusions of horror that you can't touch or feel can be quite unsettling.
Suddenly hearing a rustling in the bushes behind him, he steeled himself for a fight as he reached for a kunai. Shifting his position carefully he peered behind his cover, observing his traps and waiting for the right moment to spring them. He didn't have to wait very long, as almost as soon as he turned around the target burst through the trees, its shadowy figure blending almost perfectly with the dim light that filtered through the canopy. Its only key feature that was easily visible were its glowing eyes, eyes filled with incomprehensible horror.
Whatever illusions his teammate had used he could guaranty that it was overboard judging alone from the eyes of their target. But, when he noticed the agitated and paranoid jumps and sidesteps he knew that the cruel illusions obviously had its pluses as the target was so terrified that he/she ran straight through the centre of the traps he had armed.
Within an instant dark smoke covered the forest, obscuring his view of the results of his traps. And within that same second a quick scream of pain was heard… before no more.
As the smoke cleared, Shino smirked in satisfaction at the results of his traps. Moments later Hinata and Naruto emerged from the forest, standing beside Shino and joining him in his smirk as they followed his gaze. The target was bound around the legs, sedated from the sedative dart and locked securely in a small steel-bar cage. The target, strangely enough a ginger cat named Tora, was successfully captured denoting a successful completion of yet another D-Rank mission.
Kurenai materialized out of now where in front of her students, and smiled seeing their handy work. "Well done you three. This is the third time this week that you guys have caught Tora the Cat and I must say that the time you caught him in was quite impressive." Kurenai praised as she slowly walked over to the cat sleeping in the cage. She had specifically requested that each time Tora had to be caught that her team was the one to find him. As not only was it a good mission for teamwork considering the cats experience at running away, but it was also a very suitable mission a beginner tracking team.
Her team had left the carrying of Tora to her, not out of laziness, but rather out of fear. The cat was notorious for not wanting to be caught and taken back to his master and as such would claw anyone who tried to capture him. Naruto had copped a vast array of cat scratches to his face and bitten all along his arms, while Shino and Hinata both had claw marks on their arms. And unluckily for Shino, two of them had left thin but long scars on his left arm.
Hoisting the caged cat over her shoulder Kurenai nodded to her team as they began to slowly walk back to the Hokage Tower, two of her students shyly holding hands as they smiled at each other.
Hokage Tower
Sarutobi was tired. He was getting fairly old now and it took him longer and longer to get things done as the days went by. Luckily today was a fairly easy day, having almost no paper work or meetings basically all that would happen was various Jonin would file into his office and request missions for their Genin teams. The latest missions he had given out was a dog walking mission to Team 7 and 'Capture the Tora' mission to Team 8.
A smile graced his aged face when he thought of the young genin teams, they were Konoha's strongest batch of genin in generations and he could truly feel that each one carried the will of fire. He knew that they each held such potential, and would grow to be Konoha's greatest.
A polite knock on the door brought him out of his daydreaming and he answered strongly that they were welcome in. It was to his great surprise however, when the door opened revealing Team 8. He had just sent them to track down Tora the Cat barely an hour ago and yet here they were, casually strolling back into his office with Kurenai holding said cat in her arms.
"Team 8 under leadership of Kurenai Yuuhi reporting for the successful completion of 'Capture Tora the Cat'." Kurenai spoke in a formal tone as her and her team walked forward, presenting Tora.
Almost instantly a rather large but very well dressed woman burst forward and snatched the cage, quickly opening it and giving the barely conscious cat a bone-crushing hug causing him to meow out in objection to the painful affection of its master. "Oh Tora! Don't worry mummy's found you again. Mummy loves you so much! Yes she does, oh your such a good little kitty cat." Everyone in the room, including the Hokage, had to wince as they watched poor Tora get almost snapped in half from the large woman's hugs. The same thing happened every time they retrieved Tora so they knew damn well why he always ran away.
As she calmed down the woman casually strolled over to a few of the Hokage's advisors, handing them a small sack of money in payment for the D-Rank mission. Still holding Tora in a death like grip.
Now normally Naruto would find the situation absolutely hilarious, well the first time he did. But this was the third time they had captured and returned Tora and each time his ears could easily pick up on the sounds of bones cracking so he actually felt quite sorry for the poor cat, despite on how much trouble it caused him and his team. Plus, he knew who the woman was, she was the Daimyo's Wife, the Lady of the Land of Fire. She basically ruled his country so it would be considered a grievous insult to laugh at her.
After having paid her bill, with modest extra, the plump woman excitably walked over to Team 8 to thank them for their services, as well as to pet Naruto. As the woman always loved animals and had a rather large personal zoo thanks too her wealth and as such found Naruto to be absolutely adorable.
"Thank you so much for finding my Tora poo for me. I don't know what I would have done if you couldn't find him, he can be such a bad kitty. But luckily you could easily sniff him out you little cute foxy." She thanked while reaching out to her favourite member of Team 8, Naruto.
Naruto cocked his head to the side and gave a deep happy growl as the woman began to scratch his ears. He didn't know why the Daimyo's Wife adored him so much, especially considering how important and noble she was and all, but his ears certainly don't object to the attention.
"You know foxy-kun, I'm sure my husband would just love to meet you. I shall have to convince him to come with me when I next visit with Tora." Removing her hand she begun to crush Tora again as she slowly left the Hokage's Office, not even allowing Naruto a chance to recover enough from the petting to reply. "Come on Tora poo, you are all wet and smelly from runny around. A nice bath will clean you up nice."
As soon as she was clear of the office and had walked a fair distance down the hallways her hold on Tora relaxed to a comfortable one and her carefree and boisterous attitude vanished. A small sly smile formed on her face as she thought more on the hanyou she had come to like. "Yes… My husband will indeed like to meet you. It's not every day that a hanyou is found in the world, especially a kitsune hanyou. You are most interesting Naruto Uzumaki, an interest I am certain my husband will share."
"Alright team, we have completed our second mission for the day so I will give the rest you the rest of the day off to do as you wish. Training starts at 7:00am tomorrow and I expect to see improved results in your individual tasks I have set you." Kurenai stated, giving her team a smile before disappearing in a burst of smoke, leaving quite a baffled Team 8 in the middle of the Hokage's office.
"Um… What just happened? Kurenai-sensei never gives us the afternoons off? She usually does sparing sessions or physically training." Naruto questioned rhetorically, already having an idea of what she might be up to from a few scents he had caught from her.
"S-She did s-seem a little distracted this morning. Do y-you think that something's w-wrong?" Hinata may have not been able to smell like Naruto could, but having her Byakugan allowed her to be granted great insight into a person when looking at them with it active. She wasn't as talented with that part of the Byakugan as Neji was, but she was at least able to pick up that something was pulling at their sensei's attention.
"It is at a good time as my father requested that I come home early to help him with a new Hive. As I told you two before high level members of our clan are able to contain more then one Queen within their bodies, this enables them to have many more Kikai within them but the problem is that the drones are only loyal to one queen. We are currently trying to overcome that setback to enable us to have far greater control over our companions by using the multiple Queens to direct the entire Hive within us." Shino explained before politely dismissing himself from the Hokage and from his friends. Although he did see a slightly disappointed look when he bade them farewell, he knew they really wanted to see his clan's research ever since he first told them, but clan secrets are clan secrets after all and as such even his teammates weren't allowed to see.
Naruto was a little disappointed that he was pretty much ditched by his sensei and teammate but it worked out regardless. "Hmph stupid sensei leaving us. Anyway I guess I will be off too, Anko-neechan said she wanted some help getting Sasuke-teme's sensei's mask off or something. And if it's a prank then I am soooo there." As everyone watched Naruto explain his afternoon they all paled slightly when they saw the purely evil grin forming on his face at the very thought of pranking someone. They just all hoped that Kakashi saw it all in good humour otherwise he could beat the crap out of both Naruto and Anko.
"Anyway, I'll see you later Old Man, Hinata-chan. Oh and I'll make sure to be at whatever that thing is your father has tonight Hinata-chan." Barely anyone had a second to reply before he had bolted off, almost breaking the office doors in his hurry to leave. They all knew he was easily excited but they couldn't understand where he got his energy from to rush everywhere all the time.
Looking around her at the Hokage and his advisors Hinata quickly became very nervous as she was suddenly left alone in the Hokage's office. She never liked being the centre of attention and she disliked being stared at even more. Nervously pushing her fingers together she gave a small expectant bow to the Hokage, waiting for his dismissal.
"It's all right Hinata-chan you may leave. Your team has done quite well over the past week, you should be proud of your ability." Sarutobi complemented the young genin while smiling. He knew she wasn't use to being left on her own and he himself had to wonder why Naruto didn't invite the Hyuga heiress with him. Although Sarutobi could see something different in both Hinata's and Naruto's eyes, something that put him at ease and showed that he didn't need to worry.
Hinata had been wondering the same thing as Sarutobi as she quickly left his office, she quite loved watching Naruto's pranks unfold as they were always hilarious but never harmful to anyone.
As she began walking down the long echoing hallways of the Hokage's Tower she began to feel a little lonesome and abandoned by her team. She knew that they would never intentionally do such a thing, but having lived her whole life spending every day with Naruto whenever he wasn't present she always felt like something was missing from her life.
Suddenly feeling something touch her from behind she froze in surprise, but quickly relaxed when she realised it was one of Naruto's tails wrapping around her waist affectionately. Causing a small blush to appear on her face.
"You didn't think I would really leave you by yourself Hina-Tenshi?" Naruto whispered in her ear in a hushed tone as he embraced her from behind, resting his head ever so gently on her shoulder. His warm breath tickling her neck, she felt her heart rate jumped from both surprise and from his contact.
As his arms held her to him gently, she could feel the heat from his body engulf her, filling her completely with his love as she felt his strong heart beat against her back. Shyly reaching up with a hand, she gently rubbed the whisker like marks on his face as she turned her head slowly to him, a beautiful smile formed on her face when she saw the emotions swirling within his glowing blue eyes.
Love, such incalculable and never-ending love could easily be seen within those red-rimmed sapphire eyes she had fallen for so many times. And as she looked at him he smiled brightly at her, the smile that was only for her, before leaning closer and gently kissing her cheek causing her to giggle and blush even brighter.
"You should know that I would never leave you alone. Besides, I'm sure Anko-neechan will understand that I don't help her today, she did after all try to blow me up with that crazy new Jutsu of hers." Hinata giggle at the reason. She remembered that rather funny part of the morning but she also remembered the reason for Anko using that Jutsu.
"But Naruto-kun, didn't Anko-san attack you b-because you stole her dango that morning?" Her stutter had improved dramatically over the past week, she was still the same nervous Hinata, but for some reason whenever she was held by Naruto the comfort he provided her seemed to ease her nervousness and she would feel so much more confident and calm. Almost like a part of him was transferred to her with his every touch.
Naruto just gave a big cheeky smile at being caught, but he had boasted it rather loudly to her so it wasn't surprising that she remembered.
"Yer… I guess I deserved it." That was the last words heard from them both as they leant closer to each other.
They stayed like this for what seemed like hours, just happily standing in each other's embrace as they listened to the sound of the other breathing. They couldn't believe what they felt, it was greater then anything either of them could imagine but they both knew what they felt was real, their love for the other was true.
Throughout their lives they have always been there for each other, treasuring and valuing every moment they spent together as they helped each other grow. But now things felt different, everything that they seemed to take for granted, every touch, every kiss they shared held such a more powerfully meaning that it was hard to understand.
Everything with them had changed the moment Naruto had confessed his feelings and Hinata hers. But it was a change that they both knew was a good one.
It was a moment Hinata would never forget and would always cherish. She didn't know what she had done, or who she had prayed to that had answered her prayers, but somehow Hinata was granted her most precious of wishes: Naruto's love.
Flashback: One week earlier
Naruto slowly trudged home, his tired and aching body literally dragging itself along the ground, leaving four trails in the dirt from his equally aching tails. Today hadn't gone how he had planned at all.
Today had supposed to be a good day, he had training with his new team and they even had their first mission. Admittedly it was a rather crap mission but it was still his teams first mission and as such it should have been loads of fun. But sadly he had been foolish, when he had fallen on Hinata he had been so caught up in his feelings that he had kissed her again.
The feelings that had coursed through him at the display of affection were incomprehensible, it was like everything that had happened to him his entire life meant nothing to him when compared to that kiss. It felt beyond wonderful, but in a way he felt seriously guilty about the whole thing.
For starters Hinata had passed out from fright at how close he was and then Kurenai had lectured him for almost a full hour on how disappointed she was that he had taken advantage of a girl like he had. Kurenai had admitted to him that his affection of her was obvious but his ways of going about everything was very wrong and inappropriate, and not only that but it was also very disrespectful for not thinking about how Hinata felt about all of this.
She had then proceeded to drill him into the ground by running laps around the entire Yamanaka Estate until Hinata woke up. She had also told him that she would not give him serious training until he had spoken to Hinata about how he felt as he was getting far too distracted to be trained properly.
And then there was the thing he was feeling so guilty about as he continued to walk home: when Hinata had woken up, he was far to frightened and cowardly to tell her what had happened and how he felt that he had practically ignored her all day. She hadn't seemed to remember the kiss he gave her, showing she had obviously passed out just before he did, but he could see the tears that were welling up in her eyes as he continued to ignore her attempts to converse with him.
It broke his heart that he could be so insensitive and hurt his best friend like that, but he was truly so confused again that he had no idea what else to do.
Finally arriving at his quite home, he rummaged though his pockets to retrieve the key to the door. He felt like shit and smelt like it too thanks to all the sweating he had done today so he decided the best thing to do was just go have a nice hot shower, wash his tails and perhaps sit on his rooftop for a while and think over how he was going to save the friendship between him and Hinata.
In the Hyuga Main House, small tears and hiccups could be heard echoing softly down the many long corridors of the large estate. If one were to follow the sad sounds they would be lead into the room of the heiress of the Hyuga clan, Hinata.
She could barely comprehend that she was crying anymore, all she knew was the pain that was filling her heart, cutting into her like the sharpest of knives.
Her reason for sadness was her best friend and the one she had grown to love with all of her heart. He had seemed so odd over the last few days but today he had done something she had never even imagined he would do: he ignored her. He ignored her very existence and refused to speak to her. No matter what she said, no matter what she did he wouldn't even look at her, and it broke her young heart.
She didn't know why he was ignoring her, the only thing she could think of was that he was angry at her. She perhaps thought that he blamed her messing with his chakra pathways for him falling on her. But it just didn't seem right, he wasn't like that, if anything he probably felt sad for landing on her but if that was the case then he would have just done what he always did and apologised to her over and over. No, it just couldn't be that, there must have been another reason and the only thing that gave her any help into understanding what was running through his mind was the strange glance he had given her when she had woken up.
It was an odd look, almost like it was filled with sadness and guilt, but if one was to look deeper into the emotions within his eyes they could also see pure happiness and… and something else that she just couldn't identify.
She was so worried about what she had done to upset him that it had reduced her to her current state: crying her eyes out on her bed while holding her old fox plushie tightly. She felt so silly but he was everything to her, and the thought that he would never speak to her again crushed her more then she thought possible.
A light knock at the door surprised her and brought her from her sad thoughts. Quickly composing herself and wiping the tears from her eyes she rushed over to answer her door.
Hiashi had heard the soft sound of his daughter's tears echo throughout the Main House hallways and was immediately worried about her. His daughter had only ever cried four times, and one of those was when her mother was murdered.
Walking towards her room he could feel his heart ache at every tear he heard from her, he loved his two daughters more then anything else he had, and listening to her sad tears allowed him to share her pain and feel the hurt she did. Knocking gently on her door he heard her scurry about her room before rushing to answer.
When she answered his heart almost broke and his face softened, she was obviously surprised to see him and was doing her best to hide her sadness and seem strong infront of him. But looking down into her puffy eyes and seeing her holding that fox plushie Naruto had given to her when they were children, he knew that something was seriously wrong.
"What is wrong my daughter? Why are you crying?" He asked in concern, while placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. He didn't even fully finish his sentence when Hinata crashed into him, holding on to him tightly as she cried fresh tears into his formal kimono.
"I-I-It's N-Naruto-kun… H-He i-i-is angry w-with me and w-won't say w-why… He… H-He ignored m-me all d-day and wouldn't e-e-even talk to me…" She replied between waterfalls of tears and hiccups. She knew it wasn't the Hyuga way to be so silly and get all emotional over such simple things, but to her it didn't feel simple, Naruto was everything to her and the fact that he had never once ignored her in his life was what really hurt and confused her.
Hiashi just chose to embrace his older daughter and let her release away her pain. Words wouldn't have made her feel any better as he could see just how much this was hurting her. Although, he had to puzzle to himself on what she had said, it wasn't like Naruto to ignore anyone as he loved talking with people, especially his best friend. When she said he was angry with her he was shocked, but when she said he wouldn't even speak to her that was a whole other kettle of fish.
"Shhh… calm down my daughter. Explain to me what happened today and what Naruto did to get you this upset." He waited a few moments for her tears to slow, stroking her hair in a calming fashion as he allowed her to settle down enough to talk to him. Admitably he wasn't as good at this sort of thing as he would have liked, but he knew listening to everything would at least help her get it off of her chest.
Hinata didn't really want to tell her father everything, her crush on Naruto and her reaction to a thing so silly was embarrassing enough to her as it was. It was times like this that she really wished her mother was still alive, as she would have known exactly what to do in situations like this. But as her eyes cleared enough of their tears to see into her father's face, she could easily see his concern and could see he really wanted to help her. And after her and Naruto's sisters, her father was the next person who understood Naruto the most.
The pair sat together at the end of Hinata's bed, and through her tears she slowly began to explain to him her day. How it had started an easy mission to paint a house of the Yamanaka clan, to the walking vertically chakra training exercise, to Naruto's problem with the exercise and her help, to eventually her waking up and then Naruto virtually ignoring her existence all day. Although the whole explanation was more then a little embarrassing to her, she had to admit that she felt a whole lot better about it and her crying had long since stopped.
Hiashi had to hid his knowing smirk as his daughter finished telling her problem about the hanyou she so adored. He could understand why Naruto had avoided his daughter and probably could guess spot on what had happened when Hinata past out when Naruto fell on her. He knew how much Naruto admired her and had know for a long time on how she felt about him, and although it wasn't his place to interfere with their personal lives, Hinata was after all his eldest daughter and her happiness was above all else. Besides, he had made that promise all those years ago to his beloved wife, and he would keep it no matter what.
"I think I might know what was troubling Naruto-kun, my dear daughter. How about we pay him a visit tonight and sort things out between you both?" Hiashi again had to stop himself from smirking when he daughter shot from his comforting hug, stammering over and over again all sorts of excuses on why she couldn't go. Although he knew it was just from embarrassment and nervousness of actually talking to Naruto right now above everything else.
"No I believe it would be best if we sort this thing out as quickly as possible, something is definitely bothering Naruto-kun and he needs to know that whatever it is is hurting you.
Hinata really didn't want to confront Naruto about this, as she was afraid it would only make things worse as she knew that he hated being forced into anything, including explaining himself when he didn't want to. But despite what she said her father would continue to find reasons against her hesitations and so eventually she reluctantly agreed to go speak to Naruto with him. It put her heart at rest knowing she would soon find out what was bothering him, but it also made her worry that his reasons might be something she doesn't want to hear.
Naruto stepped out of the shower feeling a little more refreshed then he did before, a forlorn and sad look still adorning his face as he proceeded to dry his tails by spinning them all rapidly. His sad mood just turned sour when all four of his tails decided to puff up, denoting the next few hours were going to be needed brushing them straight again.
Sighing to himself at how stupid he felt he quickly dried the rest his body with a towel before grabbing a small fur brush and left his bathroom. The hallway of his house wasn't very long, being only a few meters to the end. But leaving the bathroom and looking down it almost made him feel sick as it seemed to lengthen before his very eyes. It felt weird as he traversed it, almost like with each step he took it got longer and longer quite similar to how it felt to traverse that sewer of a mind he had.
'Tell her… she is a part of you… she needs your love… and yet you do nothing but ignore her in fear of telling her… she doesn't deserve your tainted cowardly love…'
It was the guilt he felt that was talking to him. The guilt of everything that was worrying him and confusing his mind. Looking out at his kitchen/dinning room as he entered his stomach growled in anger at not being fed yet as he glanced at his Ramen Cupboard, but despite his hunger he really didn't feel like eating.
Walking away from his kitchen he opened one of his windows and leapt out it. They say cats always land on their feet when they fall, but cats had nothing on the grace he possessed as he landed. Utilizing the chakra exercises his sensei had been teaching him, he cushioned his landing but pumping chakra to his feet, then using his enormous strength he sprung upwards, flipping over several times before landing firmly on his rooftop.
The first few times today that he had down such a… unique use of the chakra manipulation exercise he had several injured himself, but in just a day he was not only able to walk almost 3 full meters up any vertical surface but he was also found he was able to utilize his vast chakra supplies to overload the technique and thus do things most others could not: such as cushioning their falls and firing themselves off walls like cannon balls. Notably they were rather odd uses for his large chakra supply but they were indeed useful from improving his general chakra control, which was something his sensei was happy for. And it also helped him not injure himself as much when he kept falling off that house's walls when he was painting it.
Sitting down in his usual spot, Naruto tried his best to clear his mind as he gazed up at the stars and moon while brushing the nots out of his tails. It was an odd habit to like looking up at the night sky, but he found it granted him an odd sense of peace, whether it be just him or if it was because Hitomi use to like watching the stars while cuddling him and Hinata he didn't know.
Thinking of his surrogate mother caused his already poor mood to just darken more. Even after all these years he could still feel the hole in his heart at her death. She and Hinata had saved him from a life of complete loneliness, Hinata had become his best friend while Hitomi had become his mother, both of them filling places in his life that could never again be filled.
As tears threatened to fall from his eyes, he quickly flicked a tail up to wipe the forming droplets away before continuing to look at the stars. They were beautiful to him, each one a sparkling light of hope, shining brightly amongst an endless sheet of black. He liked naming the brightest stars after each person who was close to him, it was a traditional he had started when he was young and he didn't have many stars named, but as time passed on he found himself reminded more and more each night as he counted the named stars of how many people that were precious to him that he had in his life.
"Naruto Uzumaki! I believe you and I need to have a talk!" The commanding voice was completely unexpected as Naruto had been completely absorbed into the night sky, and at the sound of Hiashi's voice he jumped at being started. Causing him to slip on the roof and tumble down.
A heavy thump and a yelp later, Hiashi smirked as Naruto slowly pulled himself off of the pavements. "Hmm… A little disappointing Naruto-kun, I thought you were always suppose to be alert to your surroundings. Such a waste of those powerful ear's and that nose of yours." Hiashi egged hoping to get a reaction out of Naruto. Which predicably he did.
"What? I am so alert! I was just looking up at the stars like I always do! But I'll-" Naruto caught himself from saying any more, aware now as he looked up from the ground that Hiashi wasn't here just by himself but also with Hinata. "O-Oh… Hello, H-Hinata-chan." Naruto said quietly, and with an odd stutter to his words as he desperately tried to compose himself and keep his glance focused on Hiashi.
Naruto's reaction to seeing Hinata proved his thoughts and Hiashi frowned in disappointment that Naruto wasn't able to solve his feelings out by himself. "Oh well if that is all you were doing then I guess my talk can wait. But I will be leaving Hinata here for a while while I attend to some matters at the Yamanaka clan. I believe you two have a few things to discuss anyway." Hinata's eyes widened at her father's statement, he was going to be the one doing all the talking and now she was going to be left to talk to Naruto by herself!
Hiashi didn't leave any room for argument as he held his hand up to silence Naruto as soon as he went to speak, being part Kitsune meant the young boy was crafty and could quite easily talk his way out of anything he didn't want to do. Seeing Naruto cease his argument at the first gesture told Hiashi how confused Naruto really was, but if the hanyou didn't get his act together soon then he would continue to hurt Hinata and that was something Hiashi would not stand for.
Leaning down to Naruto's ear Hiashi whispered low, low enough for only Naruto to hear. "You have really hurt Hinata-chan with your actions today Naruto-kun. If you don't sort out your problems you will only push her away. I know how much she really means to you." The last sentence caused Naruto to freeze, whether it be from the fact that he just stated that he knew of Naruto's feelings towards his daughter or if it was from the much deeper meaning he wasn't sure. But with his message delivered, he simple stood up and bid his farewell as he left the two teenagers alone.
Well, alone except for the fact that he was planning on watching them carefully from a distance with his Byakugan. He was Hinata's father after all and while he approved of them being a couple, he didn't approved of the teenage hormones that would no doubtably be showing themselves in the next few years.
Naruto sighed as he looked down at the ground, he was nervous about telling his best friend anything, but he knew it was something that he needed to sort out soon. Lifting his head slightly he flinched slightly when his gaze met Hinata's, he could see the pain, the hurt the he had inflicted upon her. They were so similar in that respect, they needed each other so much, that without the other they fall apart.
Hinata smiled nervously as she met Naruto's cerculean blue eyes, her heart raced as they seemed to sparkle at her, while his wild blond hair shimmered in the moonlight. He seemed to jump slightly at seeing her, but for some reason he still held a smile for her.
Tilting his head slightly to his roof, he leapt up and sat down in the centre, patting the spot next to him with his tail. While she didn't have the sheer strength to actually jump that high, she was able to easily follow him by walking up his walls. Walking to him she sat down gently next to him as close as she dared, a small blush adorning her face as she felt one of his tails curl gently around her wrist.
Considering his weird behaviour today she thought that action odd, but as she glanced at his face she could tell he wasn't really concentrating on anything. He was looking up at the stars, a strange far-off look as he watched them, the moonlight giving him a mysterious yet handsome look.
Hinata was lost looking at him, he seemed so uncertain and… afraid? Something that looked completely odd on his always happy and cheerful face and she could only wonder what things she had done to upset him.
Deciding it was best to just wait for him to start talking, she turned her gaze to the heavens and joined in watching the night sky with him. An odd sense of peace washing over her as she remembered all the times she and Naruto had done this with her mother when they were younger.
"I'm… I'm really sorry for ignoring you today Hinata-chan." The sentence was sudden and short, but full of emotion. Naruto looked down from the stars and starred down at the ground, his ears falling down showing his sadness and guilt at his actions.
Hinata was a little surprised to hear speak so soon, and despite her nervousness she really wanted to push for his reasoning. "I-It's ok. I'm j-just really s-sorry for making y-you angry at m-me."
Naruto's head snapped up her response, a frown passing over his face as he turned to her. A look of complete shock showing he had no clue to what she meant. But as he looked at her sad face, he slowly pieced together the dots and realised that he had made her think he was angry at her by ignoring her.
"Oh no! I'm not angry at you Hinata-chan I never could be-" he quickly responded, a sincere smile reinforcing his statement, "-its just that… that well… I'm just really confused right now. I have things on my mind that I need to sort out." Hinata was overjoyed to hear that he wasn't angry at her for any reason, she knew better then to think that he ever would be angry at her but she just couldn't think of anything else at the time.
"W-What is u-upsetting you N-Naruto-kun? I can help i-if you tell me w-what it i-is?" Hinata asked in a soft and concerned voice.
Naruto seemed to flinch slightly at her words. She had been one of the few to truly see the depths of Naruto's emotions and yet he had never looked so confused, so lost, so fragile like he did right now. His eyes showed that if he was poked he might very well shatter into a thousand pieces, whatever had been worrying him must be something great indeed.
Naruto didn't want to explain, but he knew that if he wanted to save his friendship with his best friend and no longer hurt her, he needed to say something. "It's just… you know… there's this girl I know, and I really like her and its confusing me on how I should act it get her attention."
Hinate froze immediately at his words, a small part of her felt like it cracked as her entire world suddenly turned grey. She felt the crack run deep within her, splitting down her mind and breaking her innocent heart. She couldn't believe the hurt and pain she felt, she want to cry, to scream out, to yell to the heavens on why. She knew he hadn't meant to, and she knew that it may have been her fault for not explain on how she felt earlier, but Naruto had broken her heart and soul like no one else before him. He had taken everything the meant anything to her, all in just a few words.
She turned away from him, desperately trying to hold back her tears, his ears were extra sensitive to her crying so she knew she had to remain strong. But the pain, the aching hurt spreading from her chest so enough almost shatter her mind.
Silent tears fell from her eyes, wetting the roof beneath her. She knew that Naruto would be looking at her in worry but she didn't care, as long as she was turned away he wouldn't see her tears, he wouldn't see just how much she had cared about him, and he wouldn't see just how weak she was to have been broken so easily.
Naruto's head was cocked slightly in confusion to the odd reaction of his best friend. He knew that she would be surprised by such a statement, but this reaction was a little weird. He assumed she was just digesting the sudden information and left her to her thinking, not even noticing the inner turmoil that was truly hurting his best friend, or noticing that she had started to grip the tail that had wrapped around her wrist.
A few minutes had past after Naruto had spoken and he had returned to watching the stars. Hinata had spent the time cursing herself for her inability to tell Naruto her feelings while desperately trying to regain control of her tears.
"S-So what i-is t-this girl l-like?" Hinata suddenly spoke, still having her face turned away from him. Her voice was strange even to herself. It retained its usual stutter, but had lost its life. But the aching pain in her chest made it hard for her to even breath let alone talk or think straight.
That particular question lightened Naruto's mood and his ear pointed up again from the sudden excitement of explaining his answer. "Well she's funny, smart, incredibly strong, very beautiful, and she has the prettiest eyes. She's the most amazing girl I have ever met… she's… she's like an Angel to me."
It hurt Hinata deeply to hear the level of affection he had for this girl. Naruto has never said stuff like that about anyone, and to think of her like an angel? Well that just proved how special she was to him and that his affection was real, and that Hinata had lost out to this girl.
Her tears began to form again as she tried so hard to keep a happy face, for Naruto's sake she needed to be strong. As she had always wanted the best for Naruto and she could easily tell by the way he spoke with such love and adoration that this girl he was talking about really did make him happy. So if this girl made him happy, then Hinata would try to be as happy as she could despite on how much it crushed her little heart that she wouldn't be with the one he loves.
"H-Have y-you told h-her how you f-feel N-Naruto-kun?" She asked in a croaky voice, something that she was thankful Naruto didn't pick up on as she quickly wiped away her tears again before he saw them.
This question seemed to have the complete opposite effect on him then the last one, as his head and ears immediately fell and his gaze dropped from the heavens to the ground.
"No I haven't. And I don't know how… she… she's just too good for someone like me. An Angel doesn't deserve to be loved by a monster such as me." Naruto flexed his clawed hands in front of his face in emphasis, his body a constant reminder that he isn't like everyone else and while more often then not he was quite proud of being a Hanyou, their were times like now where he wished the Nine Tailed Fox truly never existed.
A small spark ignited within Hinata, a spark of anger that twisted within her at his words overpowering her better judgement and sadness. Causing her to yell out uncharacteristically.
"B-But why?" She yelled in question, shocking the currently emotional Hanyou at her outburst. "W-Why would y-you think t-that Naruto-kun? She s-should be h-happy t-to have s-someone l-like you have feelings f-for her. And if s-she is one of t-those villagers who don't s-see how t-truly wonderful y-you are then s-she doesn't deserve y-your feelings!"
As soon as she stopped, Hinata turned bright red in embarrassment at her momentary out of character moment and turned away from Naruto. Her pain of broken heart was causing her to think irrationally and say things that were completely out of place.
Regardless that her outburst was odd and unexpected, it truly hit Naruto hard and touched the softest places of his heart. Hinata's statement was straight to the point and very very true. And it made him glow with happiness thinking if that's what she really thought then maybe, just maybe she might also think the same once she found out that it was her that he liked.
Although, he felt kind of shameful for not expecting such a statement, she was after all the kindest person he knew and he was shamed himself by doubting her.
"You know Hianta-chan. I never really did thank you." Naruto spoke in a low but soft tone, throwing Hinata completely off guard at the change of subject. She thought he was perhaps thanking her for helping him with the chakra exercise today but was quickly confused when Naruto continued.
"I never really did thank you for saving me that day." Hinata frowned slightly to show her confusion, but that quickly turned to shock when Naruto turned to face her. His face was aglow, it was beaming with happiness as he smiled brightly at her, small tears seemed to be forming in his eyes as he recalled one of his happiest memories.
She had never seen such a look on him before, he had always been a happy and cheerful person, but he had always held a deep rooted sorrow in the back of his eyes from his abusive childhood. Something that she hoped one day would heal, with her, or this new girls help. But right now, right now as he looked at her with those handsome blue eyes and that cute foxy face, she could easily see that he held nothing but pure happiness and content.
"It means everything to me you know Hinata-chan. You saved me that day, and became my first and best friend when I woke up. I would have been lonely without you… you saved me from a life where I don't know what I would have become. You mean everything to me Hinata-chan… my… my Angel." As soon as the last words left his mouth Naruto started praying to whoever was listening that he wasn't a fool for saying them.
It took Hinata a few moments to understand the depths of meanings of his last few words. But as soon as she connected the dots of 'my Angel' her eyes widened and by her own nervous and shy nature she pulled back in shock.
Hinata's quick movement away from him wasn't left unnoticed, his keen eyes watched the way she moved and it cut his heart. 'You fool… she doesn't like you like that and never will…' The sheer fright that he may have just ruined his friendship with his best friend caused Naruto to instinctly pull Hinata too him with the tail still wrapped around her wrist.
Unfortunately for him he had forgotten on how much stronger physically he was then her and wasn't ready when she was pulled into him knocking him down while she fell on top.
A few moments passed and neither moved, Naruto because he was too strong and might hurt her if he pushed her off, and Hinata… well Hinata was far to caught up in her sudden change of feelings. One moment she had a broken heart, then next her heart was breaking from the overload of love. She couldn't believe it, after all these years of loving Naruto, he was returning her feelings and without even knowing hers first.
A few moments more and they both went bright red in the face, but instead of scrambling off in embarrassment like usually did, Hinata laid still while tears of joy slowly fell from her beautiful face. "I-I-I… I-I li-li…" She had never been able to tell him, even after all this time, even after what he just said she still was to afraid to tell him.
Looking through the happy tears covering her eyes, Hinata suddenly catch the look in the eyes of the Hanyou under her. They were colder then before, almost distant as he seemed to be desperately looking away from her, almost like he was ashamed by his actions. 'Oh no! He thinks I don't like him like that, come on I can do it!'
As Hinata desperately tried to speak the words, she unconsciously began to pray. Pray to the one person who was always able to guild her. She prayed once more to her mother for strength.
'He will be good to you my beautiful daughter… love him like I did your father… I love you… Hinata-chan…'
Hinata was shocked to hear the beautiful voice resonate within her mind, a voice that she had almost lost to time and yet she easily recognised the loving mother undertone in it. Within moments Hinata could feel a warmth embrace her, a shroud like emanation that seemed to wrap itself loving around her giving her strength and steeling her will.
Before she could even give her actions a moment of thought, she felt her body lower itself as she closed the small gap between them. "Y-Your so silly N-Naruto-kun…"
Naruto's eyes shot wide when he felt something warm press against his lips, an literal explosion of emotion erupt within him as his eyes focused on the beautiful face mere millimetres from his. He could feel it, the warmth, the emotion of the kiss he was sharing with the girl he had grown to love was surging through him, highlighting every sense and aspect of his body. But most of all, he could feel the love, the pure love that Hinata was sharing with him, with their first real kiss.
Hinata pulled back slowly, a sudden feeling leaving her as their lips parted, the feeling replaced with an urge for more, to feel that feelings of complete happiness when she kissed him. "I-I… I like you too… N-Naruto-kun."
Suddenly releasing what she had actually done, Hinata jumped back, furiously trying to get off of Naruto as she apologised profusely for her actions, a scarlet red lighting up her face in the dark night.
But Naruto didn't let her go, his tail had never released her wrist so when she tried to get up, she just feel on top of him once more. The stayed like that for a few moments, spending the short time gazing into the other's eyes, trying to desperately control the level of emotions they felt raging through them both.
A large gush of wind began to swirl around them both, blowing a blizzard of Sakura Blossoms around them and Naruto's house. Eventually causing a large cyclone pattern in the sky surround the house.
"Where… Where did all the cherry blossoms come from? It's not spring" The strange occurrence was enough to distract the young pair and they didn't even realise that the began to snuggle together as they watched the odd phenomenon.
"Hehe, c-can't you t-tell Naruto-kun? I-its… I-It's the b-blossoming of our h-hearts." Hinata responded in a quite shy tone, testing the waters of their new relationship and how he felt.
Naruto's ears twitched at the words, and a small smile appeared on his face at how sweet they were. Turning to the girl he loved with all his beating heart, he noticed the shy and embarrassed look on her face as she watched him for a reaction.
Leaning forward he gently placed his lips on hers, causing her eyes to widen in surprise, before slowly closing as she melded into the kiss.
Their innocent kiss seemed to last forever, and when they slowly broke apart they found themselves short from breath. A smile of pure happiness and peace on both their faces.
"Thank you… thank you for being with me Hinata-chan. Thank you, for allowing a monster to love an angel… Hina-tenshi." Before she could reprimand him for the self-reference, she melted into his touch as his tails slowly wrapped around her, pulling her into another kiss.
Flashback End
Turning slowly to face her Hanyou boyfriend Hinata smiled as happy tears fell from her eyes at the happy memory. She couldn't believe on how lucky she was, Naruto treated her like a real princess and made her feel happier then anything she could have ever imagined.
Every day for the past week that they had been a couple he would do something to show her how special she was too him, whether it just be a small love poem or a largescale Kitsune Illusion of floating hearts and love signs he would do something different to display his affection. They had yet to go on a real date yet, and they hadn't done anything more then kiss and hold each other. Not that she wanted anything further. And she couldn't possibly be happier.
She wasn't sure, but she had an inkling that everything sweet he did was his way of trying to prove he was worthy of her, something that he seemed insistence upon despite the fact that she had told him that his love was more then enough.
Reaching out with a gentle hand, Naruto brushed the hair from her crying eyes. And as she looked up to him he could easily see the love and adoration she held for him, swirling majestically within those blue orbs like raging ocean waters. Reaching down to her, he gently placed his lips against hers, flowing his love to her through another innocent yet sweet kiss they now shared, and sharing their inner most thoughts.
'I love you... Hina-tenshi'
'I-I love you t-too, Naruto-kun.'
They were both so caught up their moment, that they didn't realise the large breeze that suddenly began to blow around the Hokage Tower as shared a kiss once more, carrying hundreds of Sakura Blossoms around them as it blew.
Auther Note: I can guaranty that no one will understand the reference to the 'Wind of Sakura Blossoms' that circle Naruto and Hinata when they kiss. However, if anyone manages to guess correctly I have a special something to give to them. Think of this as a challenge/contest.